
Class Xl4:^— 



ov 




4/- 



STOCKBRIDGE, 



PAST AND PRESENT; 



OR, RECORDS OF 



AN OLD MISSION STATION. 



By miss electa F: JONES. 



SPRINGFIELD: 

SAMUEL BOWLES & COMPANY. 

1854. 






PRINTED BY 

SAMUEL BOWLES A COMPANY, 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 



P U V. V A C E , 



It must be a source of satisfaction to the people of 
Stockbriclge, that the labor of writing the history of their 
town fell into the hands of so faithful a chronicler as the 
author of these pages. The writer of this preface felt 
greatly interested in the execution of the enterprise, and 
bears his cheerful testimony to the untiring spirit with 
which she prosecuted it. For two years she was almost 
constantly occupied in laborious research and correspond- 
ence connected with the Avork, and our community owes 
lier no small debt of gratitude for the discovery and pub- 
lication of documents of great local interest, which, but 
for her diligence, would, in all probability, never have 
known the light. Tliis is particularly true of that portion 
of the book wliich treats of the Stockbridge Indians — in 
many respects the most interesting of all our Aboriginal 
tribes. 

Tiie author laid no claims to profound erudition. She 
was a plain, sensible woman, and wrote for the preserva- 
tion and ejihibition of truth, not from any desire to attract 



4 PREFACE. 

notice, or prnrient love of authorship ; and her book is 
not presented as a specimen of rhetorical or syntactical 
exactitude. Its chief merit is its truthfulness, and on this, 
it is believed, the reader may safely rely. 

The author lived just long enough to put a finishing 
hand to the work, and left a written req:Uest that the sub- 
scriber should superintend its publication. This office he 
has essayed to do, with no important change from the con- 
dition in which it left her pen ; and now commits it to the 
public, bespeaking for its lamented author the spirit of 
candor and charity Avith which it was written. 

E. W. B. Canning. 

Stockbsidge, Mass., > 
February, 1854. _C, 



CONTENTS. 



— #- 



PAGE. 

INTRODUCTION, 9 

SEC. 1. STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS : WHO ARE THEY ? 13 

" 2. INDIAN HISTORY, 14 

" 3. FURTHER PARTICULARS, ... 23 

" 4. LANGUAGE, 30 

" 5. FIRST PURCHASE OF STOCKBRIDGE, . 38 

" 6. DAY-BREAK IN HOUSATONIC, ... 39 

" 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MISSION, . 41 

" 8. FORMATION OF THE CHURCH, ... 42 

" 9. PROGRESS OF LIGHT, .... 43 

" 10. ORDINATION OF MR. SERGEANT, . . 48 

" 11. FIRST SPIRITUAL HARVEST IN HOUSATONIC, 51 

" 12. REMOVAL TO STOCKBRIDGE, . . . 53* 

" 13. VISIT TO BOSTON, .... 58 

" 14. CHURCH, SCHOOL HOUSE, ETC., . . 58 

" 15. GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE MISSION, . 62 

" 16. OUT-LABORS OP MR. SERGEANT, . . ^Q 

" 17. HOLLIS SCHOOL, 69 

" 18. PRIVATE LIFE OF MR. AND MRS. SERGEANT, 76 

" 19. THE INDIANS IN WAR AND IN PEACE, . 79 

" 20. REMOVAL FROM STOCKBRIDGE, . . 85 

" 21. RESIDENCE AT NEW STOCKBRIDGE, . 87 
1* 



e CONTENTS. 

SEC. 22. REMOVAL FROM NEW STOCKBRIDGE, . 99 

" 23. GATHERING AT GREEN BAY, . . 103 

" 24. NEW HOME ON LAKE WINNEBAGO, . . 105 

" 25. LAST REMOVAL, 114 

" 26. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF INDIANS, . 117 

" 27. DITTO OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ESTABLISHED 

THE MISSION, 123 

" 28. EARLY FAMILIES OF WHITES, . . 128 

" 29. PRESIDENT EDWARDS AND WIFE, . . 154 

" 30. SUCCESSOR OF PRESIDENT EDWARDS DR. 

STEPHEN WEST, . . . . 161 
" 31. REVOLUTIONARY WAR, .... 168 
" 32. SECOND CHURCH IN STOCKBRIDGE, . 183 
" 33. THE SHAYS REBELLION, .... 185 
" 34. COLONIES FROM STOCKBRIDGE, . . 201 
" 35. WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, . . . 205 
" 36. DIVISION OF THE PARISH, PASTORS, EDI- 
FICES, ETC., 209 

" 37. DEACONS OF THE CHURCH, . . . 217 

" 38. RELIGION, INCLUDING BIBLE CLASSES, 
CHARITIES, TEMPERANCE, MISSIONARIES, 

ETC., 219 

" 39. GENERAL LITERATURE, .... 229 

" 40. PHYSICIANS, 236 

" 41. AFRICAN POPULATION, .... 238 

• " 42. CRIME AND CASUALTIES, . . . 243 

" 48. MISCELLANEOUS, .... 245 

" 44. VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS, . . . 248 

" 45. GEOGRAPHY, 249 

" 46. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, . . 255 

APPENDIX, 



269 



" Thou ehalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these 
forty years in the wilderness." Dbut. 8 : 2. 

" Inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the 
search of their fathers." Job. 8 : 8. 

" Kemember the days cf old, consider the years of generation and genera- 
tion ; ask thy father, and he will show thee ; thy elders, and they will tell 
thee." Dbut. 32 : 7. 

" One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy 
mighty acts. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great good- 
ness, and shall sing of thy righteousness." Psalms. 145 : 4, 7. 

" He found him in a desert land, and in the waste, howling wilderness. 
He led him about; be instructed him; he kept him as the apple of his eye." 

Deut. 32 : 10. 

" Oh God, forsake me not until I have showed thy strength unto this 
generation, and thy power unto every one that is to come." Psalms 71 : 18. 



INTRODUCTION. 



— # — 



In the year 1829, the clergymen and a few laymen of 
Berkshire, piepared and published a valuable History of the 
County, and of each particular town. This was a great work, 
but for which, the present collection would require a far 
greater outlay of time and of money, while much valuable 
information would have been irrecoverably lost; and for the 
prompt offer of its use in the present instance, as well as for 
the numerous other aids received from various sources, the 
heartfelt acknowledgments of the author are respectfully 
tendered. 

But, valuable as is the " History of Berkshire," copies of it 
are now scarce among us. Nearly another generation, too, 
has passed away, and removals have brought changes; and 
while Stockbridge is becoming noted as a place of resort, and 
is made every year the theme of the poet, the painter, or the 
traveler, and the shrine even of the pilgrim, so poorly is the 
office of cicerone performed, that we are mortified to observe 
printed errors about localities, and are scarcely able, one of 
us, to direct visitors aright. Besides this, the genealogical 
mania, as it is called, but better termed the fulfilment of that 
prophecy — "the righteous shall be had in everlasting remem- 
brance,'' is giving the public mind an interest in families, 
individuals, and places, not before felt. The descendants of 
Puritans and Huguenots are calling upon steam and upon 



10 



INTRODUCTION. 



lightning to aid in the commemoration of their ancestors; 
and they who at first bade this wilderness " blossom as the 
rose," and others who have continued its culture, should not 
be forgotten, even though the sand has for a time been blown 
over their foot prints, and the flowery sods of their own 
beloved valley have covered them. No, let their tablet find 
a niche in every dwelling, and their memory a warm corner 
in every heart. 

And the Red Man too ; — oh, how little do we think of him ! 
How little do we know of him ! How seldom, how very sel- 
dom, does the public prayer ascend for the children of those 
who once lived in these valleys, hunted in these groves, 
angled in these streams, worshiped where we bow, and were 
the Stockbridge Church! They have '-melted away" 
indeed, but not like many of their race. They still have a 
national existence, still hold the religion which they learned 
upon this spot, and still love, with true Indian fervor, the 
homes and the graves of their fathers here. Spiritually, they 
were once cold and cheerless as the drifts which covered 
their hill sides ; but they welcomed the beams of the Sun of 
Righteousness, and opened their hearts to his holy influence. 
No hardening process, of melting to tears and then freezing 
again to adamant, had sealed their doom : and drop after drop 
trickled down, until the icy avalanche became a fertilizing 
stream ; and now, as it retraces its ancient channel, we hear 
the '' God speed thee," from those who have stood upon its 
borders, and the hearty welcome comes from the far off" land, 
verifying continually the words of inspiration, " Godliness is 
profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now 
is, and of that which is to come" 

In arranging the materials for this work, the aim has been, 
not merely to make it interesting as a book to be read, but 
convenient as a book of reference in after years. If the aim 
has been too high for one of humble capacities to attain, the 
instrument proving too weak for its noble office, the excuse 
must be that it was not undertaken, or even projected, but at 
the earnest request of one whose judgment we are habituated 
to respect; and it has been done with unfeigned self-distrust 



INTRODUCTION. 11 

promptitig the fervent prayer — " Oh God, thou knowest my 
foolishness, and my sins are not hid from thee. Let not them 
that wait on thee be ashamed for my sake ; let not those that 
seek thee be confounded for my sake, Oh God of Israel." 
Puerile though the performance may be, it is, after careful 
investigation, believed to be a record of truths; and for 
truth's sake, let it be accepted. 

" Sweet is the virgin honey, though the wild bee hath stored it in a reedj 
And bright the jeweled band that circleth an Ethiop's arm. 

I magnify mine office, 
Albeit, in much feebleness I hold it thus unworthily; 
For it addeth immortality to dying facts, 
Shedding upon stocks and stones the tender light of interest. 
Making past things present, and availing for the present in the future. 
If thou lovest, help me with thy blessing : if otherwise, then mine shall be 

for thee , — 
I work for God and good." 

The Author. 

Stockbridgk, December, 1852. 



STOCKBRIDGE, 

PAST A^B PRESEITT. 

— # — 

SECTION I. 

THE STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS. WHO ARE THEY? 

Many believe the Stockbrklge Indians, and their kindred 
tribes, to be remnants of the Jewish Nation; and that they 
have, at some period of their national existence, possessed 
a part of the Jewish Scriptures, seems very evident. But 
it seems equally evident that they are of Scythian origin, 
descendents, like ourselves, from Japhet, though they of the 
second, and Ave of the eldest, son. The ancient Scythians 
strikingly resembled our Indians, both in their good, and 
in their evil qualities. A Scythian speech might be bor- 
rowed by an Indian, and be pronounced in a manner per- 
fectly characteristic of his race ; and if it is asked why the 
Indians have no cattle, when the Scythians depended upon 
them both for food and for clothing ? the answer may, per- 
haps, be suggested by the Stockbridges, when they tell of 
the famine which obliged them to disperse themselves over 
the country. 

The Stockbridge Indians seem to be of the Chippeway 
division ; and Dr. Dwight remarks that their language was 
more widely spoken than any other Indian tongue, differ- 
ent dialects of it being used throughout NeW England, iu 
Canada, and far to the west and south. When found by 
the whites, they were settled along the eastern part of New 
York, and in those parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut, 
2 



14 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

which border upon that state. By the English they were 
called River Indians ; but those who lived in Berkshire 
County came afterwards to be called Housatonic Indians. 
Their proper name is Muh-he-ka-neew in the singular, and 
Muh-he-ka-ne-ok in the plural, signifying " the people of 
the continually flowing waters." The orthography of the 
word does not however seem certain, as besides the above 
method from the Berkshire History, it is spelled Muh-he- 
ka-nuk by Mr. Sergeant in 1818, and by the Indians them- 
selves at different times — Muh-he-con-nuk which, strictly, 
denotes their place of residence, Muh-hea-ken-nuk, Muh- 
hea-kenn-nuk, Muh-hea-kun-nuk, and Muh-he-cun-nuk. 



SECTION II. 

INDIAN HISTORY. 

The History, and perhaps we may say the entire liter- 
ature of the Muh-he-ka-ne-ok, was treasured in the minds 
of a succession of "historians," each of whom trained one 
or more to fill the office after his death. When a mission 
had been established among them, and youth had been suf- 
ficiently instructed, a portion of this literature was written 
down for preservation, as more safe in a civilized commu- 
nity than tradition. Dr. Dwight seems to have had access 
to a perfect copy ; but the one here given has lost its first 
and its last leaf, and no traces of their contents have yet 
been discovered except what can be gathered from his 
" Travels." The History, as we have it, was sent from New 
York, and is said to have been written, " doubtless, by Capt. 
Hendrick Aupaumut." Its false syntax is valuable, rather 
than objectionable, as it furnishes illustrations for the treat- 
ise upon their language, and renders that section more per- 
spicuous. 

According to the extracts made by Dr. Dwight, they 
came from a country northwest of Stockbridge, having 
"crossed the great water at the place where this and 
the other country are nearly connected." In this their 
traditions resemble those of the Shawanoes, who say that 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 15 

their ancestors resolved to emigrate, and having gathered 
upon the shore, walked over to this Continent. 

"A famine compelled them,'' says the Muh-hea-ken-neew 
History, " to disperse themselves throughout the regions of 
the wilderness after sustenance — and at length lost their 
ways of former living, and apostatized. As they were com- 
ing from tlie West, they found many great waters, but none 
of them flowing and ebbing like Muh-he ku-nuk, until they 
came to Hudson River. Then they said one to another — this 
is like Muh-he-cnn-nuk, our nativity. And when they saw 
that game was very plenty in that country, they agreed to 
kindle fire there, and hang a kettle whereof they and their 
children after them may dip out their daily refreshment. (The 
name of the Hudson was Mahecanittuck.) • 

"As our fathers had no art of manufacturing any sort of 
metal, they had no implements of husbandry, therefore were 
not able to cultivate their lands but little — that of planting 
shammonon, or Indian corn, beans, and little squashes, 
which was chiefly left under the management of women, 
and old men who are incapable of hunting, and little boys. 
They made use of bone, either moose, bear's, deer's shoul- 
der plate instead of hoe, to hoe their corn with — tie it fast to 
one end of a stick or helve made for that purpose. 

" Their way of clearing lands was not so difficult as we 
should imagine, and that without using an axe. When they 
find that their fields will fail, they are to prepare another 
piece of land. In the first place they do make fire around 
the foot of every tree, as many trees standing on the ground 
which they intended to clear, until the barks of the trees 
burnt through; for trees are killed very easy in this manner. 
They planted while trees are standing, after they are killed. 
And as soon as trees is fell, they burnt it off such length that 
they might roll the logs together, and burnt them up to ashes. 
Thus they do till they get it quite clear. An industrious 
woman, when great many dry trees are fallen, could burnt off 
as many logs in one day as a smart man could chop in two 
or three days time with an axe. They make use of only a 
Hthon-ne tmuh-he-con, or a stone axe, something like the 
shape of an axe — helve to it, as of the hoe already mentioned, 
with which they rub the coals of the burning logs. But the 
employment of men was consisted in hunting and fishing. 
They used bow and arrows to kill game, with which they 
were very expert. They also used to catch deer by insnaring 
them with strings. By hunting they supplied themselves 
with both cloathing and diet. They seldom feel much want, 
and they were very well contented in their condition ; hav- 
ing food and raiment was their only aim. They were not to 



16 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND present; 

kill more than necessary, for there was none to barter with 
them that would have tempted them to waste their animals, 
as they did after the Chuh-ko-thuk came on this Island; con- 
sequently, game was never diminished. 

" They hunted occasionally whole year ; but hunting sea- 
sons are properly divided into two parts of a year. In fall 
they hunt for deer, bear, beaver, otter, raccoon, fisher, martin, 
for their clothing, and drying meat for the ensuing season ; 
and in the beginning of March they used to go out to hunt 
for moose on the Green Mountains, where these animals keep 
for winter quarters. From thence they go again for beaver 
hunting soon as the rivers, ponds, and creeks are opened, but 
they used to take good care not to stay over two months. 

" And as our ancesters were not subject to so many disor- 
ders, or sicknesses, as they were after Chuh-ko-thuk, or white 
people settled amongst them, they flourished in some meas- 
ure — that before they began to decay. Our fathers informed 
us that Muh-he-con-nuk Nation could then raised about one 
thousand warriors who could turn out at any emergency. 
Their weapons of war, besides bow and arrows, already 
described, Puh-wy, made of wooden knot, helve to it, and 
Quen-neh-tuh he-con, or long-cut, and Thut-te-con, or spear, 
made of bone or horn, and some of flinty stone, with long 
helve to it. They also wear quiver, commonly made of otter 
skin, which contain forty or fifty arrows ; and in battle they 
use shields made of green hide, doubled two or three times ; 
and when it's dry so hard that sharpest arrow cannot pene- 
trated. They also wear Hpe-thoon, made of green hide, or 
breastplate. 

"Muh he-con-nuk Nation formerly deemed to be the best 
warriors in the field, truly formidable to any nation, which 
still acknowledged by the western tribes ; for number of our 
nation have lived among almost every nation in westward 
to this day, and they used to go with these nations in all their 
wars; and they ever proved the characteristicalness of their 
ancestors — Muh-he-con ne-yuk. 

•' And our forefathers also distinguished in peaceableness, 
whereby they had allies, even the remotest nations ; and 
according to the ancient custom many of these nations made 
renewal the covenants with us which their forefathers and 
ours had made, with belts and strings of wampum. Some of 
the belts and strings are now in our possession. The friend- 
ships which our forefathers had between different nations 
were denominated after the manner of common relations. 

"And according to the ancient covenant of our ancestors, 
the Delaware nation are our Grandfathers. And the Shawa- 
noe nation, when they were ready to be devoured by their 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 17 

enemies, the different nations, they sent runners to Muh-hu- 
con-nuk for help. Then our forefathers went to stand between 
the Shawanoe and the different tribes^ to act as mediators, and 
to defend them They rescued them from under the jaws of 
their enemies. The Shawanoe nation then called the Muh- 
hu-con-nuk nation to be their Elder Brothers, and promise 
obedience to them, which they still acknowledged to this day ; 
and they are our Younger Brothers, or Nkheeth-mon nauk. 
Our forefathers then removed the Shawanoe nation from their 
native country, and brought them as far as Mkhau-wau-muk. 
There they left them under the care of the Delaware nation, 
their Grandfather. [See Appendi.t A.] 

" Wmau-weew, or Miami nation, formerly had war with our 
nation, and when they were conquered they obliged to sue 
peace; and when peace was established, they enter into cov- 
enant of friendship with our nation, and kindle fire for them 
at Kekioke, near the head of Miami River, which empties 
into Lake Erie, and voluntarily given them a large tract of 
land, wherein they desired them to live, and to be their head ; 
they offered obedience to them as grandchildren ordinarily 
obey their grandfathers. But as our forefathers loved not 
superiority over their fellow Indians, or using authority as 
tyrants over any nation, they only accepted the present given 
to them out of friendship, remembering that it may in time to 
come, our children some occasion or other would come and 
live there. From that time the tract of land has been 
reserved for our nation to this day, and that covenant had 
been renewed at different times, and a number of our nation 
live on that land these several years past to this day. There- 
fore the Miami nation are our Grandchildren to this day; and 
also their allies, to wit, Wtuw-waw, or Uttawa Nation, Wchip- 
pow-waw, or Chipiwa Nation, Mi-si-sau-ky, Pot-au-waut-om- 
meew, Wnau-to-wuh-theh, Wthau-keevv, Ke-kep poow, Pa-sa- 
ke-yah, Wauw-yuh-ton-noow, and Mk-huth-ko-tau-weew. — 
All these nations ever acknowledged this Iriendship ; and 
whenever they met an)'' of our people they call them IVJuh-so- 
mis, or Grandfathers. These nations inhabit northwest of 
Ohio. 

" Kut-tooh-waw, or Cherokees, are our younger brothers, 
who has invited us to move our fire-place and kindled by the 
side of their fire place ; they offered to give us a large tract 
of land by belt of beads which we had in our bag to this day. 

''Mush-oow, or Creek Nation, — the head of their confede- 
racy also manifested their friendship with us with belt of 
wampum, and gave us invitation in like manner as Chero- 
kees did. 

'' Wmin-theew, Wnuh-thoow, Kuh-nau-wau-thuw — these 



18 ' STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

three nations are our brothers according to the ancient cove- 
nant of our forefathers. 

" And the Seven Nations of Canada are our brothers also, 
who has renewed that covenant with us last Sumnner. And 
part of the Six Nations are our Uncles, to wit, Mohawks, 
Onondagas, CayogaS; and Senecas. But the Oneidas, and 
Tuscaroras are our brothers. (The Oneidas were younger 
brethren.) 

" Our ancestors, before they ever enjoyed Gospel revelation 
acknowledged one Supreme Being who dwells above, whom 
they styled Waun-theet Mon-nit-toow, or the Great. Good 
Spirit, the author of all things in heaven and on earth and 
governs all events ; and he is good to all his creatures. They 
also believed that there is an evil one, called Mton-toow or 
Wicked Spirit that loves altogether to do mischief; that he 
excites person or persons to tell a lie — angry, fight, hate, steal, 
to commit murder, and to be envious, malicious, and evil- 
talking; also excites nations to war with one another, to vio- 
lated their friendship which the Great, Good Spirit given them 
to maintain for their mutual good, and their children after 
them. 

" In order to please the Great, Good Spirit which they 
acknowledged to be their dependence, and on the other hand 
to withstand the evil one — therefore, the following custom 
was observed, which handed down to them by their forefath- 
ers, and considered as communicated to them by Good Spirit. 

"The Head ot each family — man or woman — would began 
Avith all tenderness, as soon as daylight, to waken up their 
children and teach them, as follows : — 

'' ' My Children — you must remember that it is by the 
goodness of the Great, Good Spirit we are preserved through 
the night. My Children, you must listen to my words. If 
you wish to see many good days and evenings you must love 
to all men, and be kind to all people. 

" ' If you see any that are in distress, you must try to help 
them. Eemeraber that you will also be in distress some time 
or other. If you see any one hungry you must give him 
something to eat; though you should have but little cake, 
give him half of it, for you also liable to hunger. If you see 
one naked, you must cover him with your own raiment. For 
you must consider that some future time you will also stand 
in need of such help ; but if you will not assist, or have com- 
passion for the poor, you will displease the Good Spirit ; you 
will be called Uh-wu-lheet, or hard-hearted and nobody will 
pity on you the time of your distress, but will mock at you. 

" • My little Children, if you see aged man or woman on 
your way doing something, you must pity on them, and help 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 19 

them instantly. In so doing, j'^ou will make their hearts glad, 
and they will speak well of you And further, if you see 
your neishbors quarreling, you must try to make them to be 
good friends asain. And you must always listen to the 
instruction of old folks : thereby you will be wise. And you 
must not be hasty to speak, ^^hen you hear people talking, nor 
allow yourself too much laughing. And if j^ou find any 
that will speak evil against you, you must not speak evil 
words back, but shut your ears and mouth as though you hear 
nothing, and shun such people. And you must never quarrel 
to any person for quarreling is belongs to evil spirit, and 
beast. But live in peace with all people: thereby you will 
please the Great. Good Spirit, and you will be happy. 

"' My little Children — you must be very kind to strangers. 
If you see stranger or strangers come by the side of your 
fire-place, you must salute them, and take them by the hand, 
and be friendly to them ; because you will be a stranger some 
time or other. You must never speak any harsh word to 
strangers, but use them well as you can ; thereby they will 
love you and will speak well of you wherever they be : and 
if you ever come into a strange country you will meet with 
such kindness. But if you will not be friendly to such, you 
will be in danger wherever you go. 

" ' My Children — again listen. You must be honest in all 
your ways. Vou must always speak nothing but the truth 
wherever you are. But if you should love to tell lie, every- 
body will take notice of it; thereby you will bring a bad 
name to yourself. For inntance — whenever people shall see 
you walking, they will say one to another with scorn, and 
point at you. ' look at that liar!' and even when you should 
bring tidings of importance with the truth, they shall not 
legatd what you say. 

" ' My Children — You must never steal anything from your 
fellow men, for remember this — you will not be pleased if 
some of your neighbors should take away your things by way 
of stealing ; and you must also remember that the Great, 
Good Spirit see you. But if you will allow yourself to steal, 
you will hurt your name, and disgrace your parents and all 
relations; and you will be despised by all good people. 

'' ' My Children — you must always avoid bad company. 
And above all, you must never commit murder, because you 
wish to see long life. But if you commit murder, the Great 
Good Spirit will be angry with you, and your life will be in 
great danger; also the lives of your dear relations. 

" ' My Children — you must be very indu.'strious. You must 
always get up early morning to put on your clothes, muk-sens, 
and tie your belt about you, that you may be ready to do 



20 STOCKBRIDGE, I'AST AND PilESENT; 

something; by so doing you will alwa)'s have something' to 
eat and to put on. But if you will be lazy, you will be 
always poor. Your eyes shall be on those who are industri- 
ous, and perhaps you will be shamefully beg or steal; and 
none will give you anything to eat without grudging. 

"'And further, my Children-^when yoix grown up, you 
must not take wife or husband without the consent of your 
parents and all relations. But if you will do contrary to this, 
perhaps you will be joined to one who will bring great dark- 
ness to you, and thereby you will be very anhappy. 

" ' My Children — at all times you must obey your Sachem 
and Chiefs, in all good counsels they give ; never to speak 
evil against them, for they have taken much pains in promot- 
ing your happiness. And if you do not observe this, you will 
be looked upon worse than the beasts are.' 

" Thus they inculcate instruction to their children day after 
day until they are grown up ; and after they are grown, yet 
they would teach them occasionally. And when young peo- 
ple have children they also teach theirs in like manner. — 
This custom is handed down from generation to another; at 
the same time it may be observed that there were some that 
did not take no pains to instruct their children, but would set 
bad examples before them, as well as there are such among 
civilized nations. But such men were roving about, and 
could not be contented to stay at one place. 

" Our ancestors' Government was a Democratical. They 
had VVi-gow-wauw, or Chief Sachem, successively, as well 
as other nations had, chosen by the nation, whom they looked 
upon as conductor and promoter of their general welfare, and 
rendered him obedience as long as he behaved himself 
agreeably to the office of a Sachem. And tliis office was 
hereditary by the lineage of a female's offepring, but not on 
man's line, but on woman's part. That is— when Wi-gow- 
wauw is fallen by death, one of his Nephews, (if he has any) 
will be appointed to succeed his Uncle as a Sachem, ami 
not any of his sons. 

The Sachem always have Woh-weet-qnau-pe-chee, or 
Counselors, and one Mo-quau-pauw, or Hero, and one 
Mkhooh-que-thoth, or Owl, and one Un-nuh-kau-kun, or 
Messenger, or Runner; and the rest of the men are called 
young men. (But the Six Nations call young men Warriors.) 
The Sachem is looked upon as a great tree under whose shade 
the whole nation is sit. His business is to contemplate the 
welfare of his people day and night— how to promote their 
peace and happiness. He also ever take pains to maintain and 
brighten the belt of friendship with all ttieir allies. When 
he find any business of public nature, he is to call his coun- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MIS??ION STATION. 21 

selors together to consult with them; and then they will 
determine what is good for the Nation. The Sachem must 
be a peaceable man — has nothing to do with wars — but he is 
at times go from house to house to exhort his people to live 
in unity and peace. 

" The Sachem has no stated salary for his services ; for it 
was a disgrace or reproach any man to ask reward for any 
of his public services ; but Avhatever he does for his nation 
must be done out of friendship and good will. But it was 
the custom to help their Sachem voluntarily in building a 
long We-ko-wohm, or wigwam, all complete ; and the hunt- 
ers, when they returned from hunting each man give him a 
skin. The women also at times, some give him Mkith-non, 
or Muk-senS; some belts for the body, others garters, and 
some other ornaments — as wampum to be for his own use. 
They are also to bring victuals to yachem's to enable him to 
feed strangers; — for whenever strangers arrived at their fire- 
place they are directed to go to Sachem's house. There they 
stay until their business is 'completed. 

" The Sachem is allowed to keep Mno-ti, or peaceable bag, 
or bag of peace, containing about one bushel, some less. — 
This bag is made of Weeth-kuhn-pauk. or bitter sort of 
hemp ; grows on intervals, about three or four feet long ; and 
sometimes made of Wau-pon-nep-pauk, or white hemp, 
which grows by the side of rivers, or edge of marshes. — 
amazing strong and lasting — of which they make strings, and 
die part of the strings of different colors ; then worked and 
made into bag of different marks. In this bag they keep 
various Squau-tho-won, or belts of wampum; also strings; 
which belts and strings they used to establish peace and 
friendship with different nations, and to use them on many 
occasions, and passed as coin. In this bag they keep all 
belts and strings which they received of their allies of differ- 
ent nations. This bag is, as it were, unmoveable ; but it is 
always remain at Sachem's house, as hereditary with the 
olfice of a Sachem; and he is to keep the Pipe of Peace, 
made of red hard stone — a long stem to it. Besides this bag, 
they keep other smaller bags which they called Ne-mau-won- 
neh Mno-ti, or Scrip, which contains nourishment on journey, 
which they carry with them when they go out to hold treaties 
with other fire-places. In such scrips they occasionally put 
belts and strings for transacting business abroad. When they 
find the wampum will be fall short, besides what is kejit in 
the bag, the Sachem and his counselors would sent their 
runner to gather, or collect wampum from their women, 
which business they called mauw-peen, or sitting into one 
place. 

2* 



22 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

" The office of Counselors was not gotten by hereditary, 
but it was elective; therefore, the wise men were only enti- 
tled the office of Counselors. They are called Chiefs. Their 
business is to consult with their Sachems in promoting peace 
and happiness for their people. They will also at all times 
exhort young people to every good work. 

'' The title of Mo-quau-pauw, or Hero, is gotten only by 
merit ; by remarkable conduct in the wars, by great courage 
and prudence. The business of Heroes in time of peace is to 
sit Avith their Sachem and Counselors in all their councils, and 
to confirm their agreements, but never to contradict them ; for 
which they are beloved by their Sachem and Counselors, and 
by all their people. But when any warfare is sounded in their 
ears, then they will all meet together to hold a general Coun- 
cil : and when they find themselves under necessity of joining 
to such war, then the Sachem and Counselors will put the 
business in the hands of Heroes, exhorting them to be coura- 
geous and prudent, to take good care of their young men. 
But when the offers of peace is proposed, then the Hero will 
put the business in the hands of the Sachem and Counselors, 
who will cut or break the string of the bow, and bury the Puh- 
wi, and by certain ceremony or emblem wipe off all tears and 
blood, and cleanse their beds, scattered all dark clouds, that 
they may enjoy pleasant days again, 

" The office of Owl is come by merit also ; who must have 
strong memory, and must be good speaker, and have strong 
voice. He is to sit by the side of his Sachem ; his business 
is to proclaim the orders of his Sachem to the people with loud 
voice. And he is also to get up every morning as soon as day- 
light. Tn the first place he is to make noise like an Owl, then 
shouted to wake the people, and then ordered them to their 
respective lawful duties for the day. 

'' And the business of the Runner is to carry messages, or 
carry tidings ; and he is always ready to run. He is to give 
notice to the people to attend. And when they go out anoth- 
er town to hold council, he is to run to inform the Chiefs that 
live in that town that his Chiefs will arrive— such a time. 
And M'hen they hold treaty with any nation he is to light his 
Sachem's Pipe. And he must be man of veracity: for if he 
tell a falsehood, his feathers will be pulled off. 

" Our Nation was divided into three clans or tribes, as Bear 
Tribe, Wolf Tribe, and Turtle Tribe. Our ancestors had par- 
ticular opinion for each tribe to which they belonged. The 
Bear Tribe formerly considered as the head of the other tribes, 
and claims the title of hereditary office of Sachem. Yet they 
ever united as one family. 

" And at the death of Sachem they considered as though 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 23 

their light is put out, and sitting under dark clouds, and in the 
situation of mourning, until another is appointed to succeed 
in the otRce ; which must be done by the consent and appro- 
bation of the whole nation. Yet no other person has right to 
succeed but one of the nephews of the deceased Sachem, ei- 
ther the elilest, or the likeliest. 

'' One of the wisest of their Counselors is employed on such 
occasions. In the first place, v/hen all things are ready, He 
will address the whole Nation as follows, — 

" ' My friends — grand-fathers, Uncles, Brothers, Cousins, at- 
tend You also, my women— grand-mothers, Mothers, and 
Sisters, listen. You, the Children — you must also hear me at- 
tentively. It is the will of the Great, Wise, Good Spirit — our 
great tree has been fallen to the ground, and great darkness 
has been spread over our fire-place these many days, where- 
by we become as fatherless children. According to the cus- 
tom of our good ancestors, and by the help of the Great Good 
Spirit. I now remove all dark clouds which hangs over our 
fire-place. [Strings of Wampum delivered.] 

" 'Again listen : I now raise yourheads which has been hang 
downwards, and wipe off all your tears from your face, so that 
you may see clear, and open your ears that you may hear, and 
set your hearts right again, that you may understand distinct- 
ly''' [Strings of Wampum again delivered.] 

This ceremony has passed so entirely out of use that the 
Tribe are unable to give the remainder ; indeed they hare 
not retained even thus much of this interestiag document. 
They, however, have retained their wampum. The mean- 
ing of a belt is remembered by the Indian Tribes in this 
manner. The whole body frequently assemble, and being 
seated, each piece is passed from hand to hand, every per- 
son repeating the Avords as he takes it. Then again the 
color conveys some idea. A blood-colored hatchet readily 
gives an impression of something warlike, while white 
speaks of peace. 



SECTION III. 

FURTHER PARTICULARS RELATING TO BIANNERS, CUSTOMS, 
RELIGION, &C. 

The Muh-he-con-ne-ak, besides the articles of food men- 
tioned in the preceding chapter, manufactured large quan- 
tities of Maple Sugar. And indeed we seem to be chiefly 



24 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

indebted to them for the knowledge of this luxury, for as 
late as 1749, Mr. Hopkins, in writing of Stockbridge and 
its Indians, not only describes its taste, and the manner in 
which it is made, but tells irliat it is, as if very little known. 

The Squash, too, was unknown to the English until found 
among the Indians, and still retains a part of its Indian 
name — As-ku-ta-squash — in English, Vine; Apple. 

The dress of the natives consisted at first of skins, and 
in the house the mantle was frequently dispensed Avith, 
leaving them Vt'ith very little clothing. After the establish- 
ment of the Mission here, the Indians were left to choose 
their own mode of dress, the design being to teach them the 
truths of the Gospel, rather than the fashions ofthisorthat 
country. European fabrics had already taken the place of 
their own raw matei'ials ; and until long aftertheir emigra- 
tion from Stockbridge, the women retained the full sack, as 
it would now be called, and the broadcloth shii't, trimmed 
with strips of scarlet or other colors, where cheapness was 
desired, but often with ribbons of various hues, making a 
border a foot in depth. Gaiters were worn on the feet, and 
a beaver hat on the head. The aged wore it plain ; but the 
young, besides a wrc^ath of flowers, added ribbons of differ- 
ent patterns, tied around the crown, and left to hang upon 
the back and shoulders, contrasting gaily with their jetty 
locks, and russet faces. A small Dutch blanket Avas also 
tied around the neck ; — an article of dress common to both 
sexes. Since their removal to Wisconsin, their national 
costume has been laid aside, and that of the English 
adopted. 

The pipe and tobacco bag was formerly carried by the 
Indians upon the back ; and some of their pipes were very 
large, made of wood, or of stone, and carved. These, 
however, were generally made by the Man-qua-nogs, or 
Man Eaters. Their houses were built of long poles, cov- 
ered with mats in the winter, and with finely dressed 
birch or chestnut bark for the summer. They Avere 
lined Avith mats, often erabroidereil. When a fort was to 
be built, or a ncAv piece of ground Avas to be broken uj), 
they acted upon the principle that many bands make 
light work. 

The natural affections of the Indians were very strong. 
Old Roger Williams says that "a father Avill cut and stab 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. "o 

himself at the loss of a son ; and Mr. Sergeant speaks of 
the want of family government by reason of excessive 
indulgence. But he observes that they were " naturally 
as ingenious and good tempered as other people, and many 
of the little children very pretty and agreeable, and seem- 
ingly needing but right cultivation to form their minds and 
manners into every laudable quality and action, of which 
human nature is capable." 

On entering the house of a neighbor, a Muh-he-ke- 
neew said nothing until he had eaten ; and no one spoke 
to him ; but the woman of the house immediately set 
refreshment before him. They bad, notwithstanding their 
great reverence for their ancestors and head men, no 
epithets of respect. After the death of a friend, Mr. 
Wdliams says, the New England Indians bewailed a cer- 
tain time, the length of the period being regulated by 
circumstances ; and that during this mourning they deemed 
it wrong to play, paint for beauty, or git angry, without a 
particular dispensation. The only drink of the uncontam- 
inated Indian was cold water ; and though his physical 
constitution seems peculiarly inclined to the intemperate 
use of ardent spirits, no people have groaned more patliet- 
ically under the burning yoke, than this race have often 
done. For an example of their feelings upon this point 
see Appendix B. 

The migrations of the Indians are not only to obtain 
food, but sometimes to obtain fuel ; and hence, when the 
English began to settle in the country, an opinion prevailed 
among the natives that they had burned up all their wood 
at home, and were driven to the forests by cold. Their 
constitutions were strong. The aged seldom used a staff. 
But, as the historian observes, when Chuh-ko-thuk came 
among them, diseases were increased. 

They had a rare acquaintance with the heavenly bodies ; 
even the children could tell their names ; and it is an in- 
teresting fact, that not only tlie Muh-hu-con-ne-ok, but 
other New England Indians, gave the name of "The 
Bear," and " Orcdt Bear" to the same constellation which 
is so called by European nations.* Their mythological 

* Pau-kaun-na-waw, in the language of the eastern Indians, which 
is " The Bear." 



26 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ,* 

account was this : — that these stars were so many men 
engaged in a bear hunt. They commenced the hunt in 
the spring, and by autumn had wounded the animal, so 
that his blood was t'alHng upon the forests, and dyeing them 
with those beautiful hues of the season. In the winter 
they slew him, and the snow was but his dripping oil.— 
This melted in the spring, and furnished the trees with 
sap. The Seven Stars they believed were seven Indians, 
wdio had been translated in a dance. 

Some of the Rites of the Muh-he-con-ne-ok were very 
interesting. One of these was the ceremony of offering a 
deer to the Great Spirit, believed to have been taught 
them by a messenger from heaven. It was a thank offer- 
ing by some individual for particular or for general bless- 
ings. The deer was quartered, and laid, with the skin 
over it, in the center of the wigwam, and the Priest, pro 
tern, offered over it the following prayer, shouting at the 
close to call the attention of the divinity ; " Oh, Great 
God — pity us ; grant us food to eat, afford us good and 
comfortable sleep, preserve us from being devoured by the 
fowls that fly in the air. This deer is given in token that 
we acknowledge thee the giver of all things." He who 
made the feast then gave the priest a string of wampum 
as compensation for his services, and distributed the sacri- 
fice among the guests, after boiling it, reserving no part 
for himself. During the performance of the cei'emony, 
waiters were employed to divide the feet, skin, &c., among 
the poor widows of the settlement. 

Another friendly custom was the Iveu-(i-kaw, or dance, 
observed twelve months after the death of any member of 
the tribe, and designed as a formal close of the mourning. 
Guests were invited, not only from among the neighbors of 
the deceased, but from other settlements of the nation ; 
and all brought presents, which wex-e disti-ibuted among 
the bereaved, with words of consolation. 

These ceremonies, as well as the counsels directed to be 
given by parents to their children, " rising up early, and 
teaching them," certainly speak well for the Muh-he-con- 
ne-ok as a mild and generous race, far removed from cru- 
elty and other low, soul-chilling vices of barbarism ; and 
though genius and romance have laid to their charge the 
crime of offering human victims upon the beautiful natural 



OR, RECOllDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 27 

altar which rises from our village, it must in justice be said, 
that ?io trace of such a custom can be found either among 
the people themselve>!, their historians, their rites, or their 
traits of character. Many thanks have gone out from warm 
hearts to the gifted author who has made Laurel Hill a 
classic ground, not only for " the tender light of interest" 
which she has " thrown on stocks and stones," but for her 
just and kind appreciation of the general virtues of the In- 
dian character ; and much are we all mistaken in our esti- 
mate of her benevolence, if she would not rejoice to ex- 
change her painful, but beautifully wrought fiction, for an 
assurance of love and kindness in-wrought through the 
whole structure of Muh-he-con-neew mythology. 

Another English tradition has been widely published, 
which History must, in faithfulness to its trust, disprove. 
The Legend runs thus : " An Indian Maiden, having con- 
" ceived a love which she could not conquer for a youth 
" who was her cousin, — such love being held unlawful by 
" the institutions of her tribe, — in mingled despair and 
" remorse, after spending the day on the top ot the steep 
" precipice of Monument Mountain in decking herself with 
" wild flow^ers, and in her death song bewailing her fate, 
" cast herself down at evening, and was dashed in pieces on 
" the rocks at the foot. A heap of stones is said to have 
" long marked the spot Avhere she fell, and was buried, to 
" wliich each Indian visiting it was bound to add one." 

If suicide can be beautiful, this is a beautiful story ; but 
is there not enough poetry in the true history of Stockbridge, 
so that w^e may ungrudgingly yield the Jictitious ? The 
Indian name of the mountain was Maus-wau-se-ki, or Fish- 
ei"'s Nest ; and it was a common saying when overcome by 
grief — " I will go and jump off Fisher's Nest." The mar- 
riage of cousins too was forbidden. But beyond this, there 
is no foundation for the Legend to be gathered among the 
oldest members of the tribe. The story has been circula- 
ted among them, and believers are found ; but none among 
" lliose who have seen mornings in Stockbridge." Thirty 
or forty years ago the tale was, that an " Indian woman 
jumped off for a jug of rum," but to go still farther back, 
Mr. Sergeant's interpreter informed him in 1734, that 
though they still threw each his stone as he passed, they 
had entirely lost the knowledge of their reason for doing so. 



28 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

He supposed it might be an expression of gratitude for 
their safe return to the place ; but all certainty was lost 
then, and cannot, of course, have been recovered since. 

In 1771, Benjamin Kok-ke-we-nau-naut, called King 
Benjamin, being 94 yeai's of age, resigned his office of Sa- 
chem, and requested his people to elect a successor. Solo- 
mon Un-haun-nau-waun-nutt was chosen. But Solomon 
died in February, 1777, while Benjamin lived until April 
1781, dying at the advanced age of 104. After the death 
of King Solomon, the government, it is said, devolved upon 
Joseph Quan-au-kaunt, pronounced, by the English at least, 
Quinncy /wiig, and now generally spelled Quinney. He, 
being a modest, unassuming, sensible man, shrank from the 
responsibility of his high otRce, and divided his power more 
equally with his counselors — Peter Poh-quon-nop-peet, (pro- 
nounced Ponknepeet,) Capt. Hendrick Aupaumutand Capt. 
John Konkapot. Gratitude to the English led the Indians 
for a time to consider themselves subjects of the crown ; but 
their government was, and still is, entirely within their own 
body. Mr. J. Sergeant, the younger, prepared a Code of 
Laws for them while in the State of iSJew York : but changes 
have taken place since, which will be noticed in their prop- 
er order. 

All treaties among the various tribes of Indians were 
confirmed by belts or strings of Wampum. A message or 
treaty delivered without Wampum Avas said to be " an 
em})ty Avord." Tlie Wampum was a bugle made from the 
sea-shells gathered upon the coast. Among the eastern 
Indians, and probably among those in this vicinity, six 
white bugles were of the value of a penny, and three of the 
blue, black, red or purple, when used as coin. Another, 
and an important use of the Wampum was its substitution 
in the place of writing. The red bead signified blood, the 
black or dark colors had a severe meaning, Avhile white 
denoted 2'eace. Then ideas could be conveyed by the 
various figures into which it Avas Avrought, a red hatchet, 
for instance, I'cadily suggesting the idea of Avar. Thus, not 
only the fact that a treaty had been made, but its terms could 
be kept in mind, and the various circumstances in the history 
of a nation could be recorded. But the Avandering habits 
and the untutored mind of the Indian Avould, after all, tend 
to obliterate from their memories every thing beyond the 



OU, HECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 29 

leading facts, and a historian was set apart, whose office it 
was both to recoixl events, and to store up in his own mind 
the facts recorded by his predecessors, training in turn 
others to succeed liim. Tiien some, and perhaps all tribes, 
gathered themselves together at certain seasons, and the 
historian taking a piece of Wampum from the bag, repeated, 
aloud its meaning, and passed it to the ])erson who sat next 
him, who followed his example ; and thus eacli piece was 
recited at least annually by every member of the tribe, 
male and female. 

The interpreter employed by Mr. Sergeant informed him 
that he well remembered the time when the worship of the 
Great Spirit was not universal among his people, some 
worshipping the Sun, and others believing only in chance. 
But every reader of the Bible must trace in their morning 
counsels a strong resemblance to the Old Testament pre- 
cepts. They contain just that system of morals which the 
unrenewed heart is prone to draw from the Bible, and to 
rest in for salvation. The historian, too, informed Dr. 
West that his people once possessed the " Good Book 
given by the Great Spirit ; but that having lost the power to 
read it, they had buried it with a chief." And is it too 
much to believe that they did once possess the Jewish 
Scriptures, and from them derive a knowledge of the true 
religion, together with those Jewish ceremonies observed 
among them ; tliat from this they " apostatized" into idolatry 
and atheism ; but had been led at length to lay aside all 
visible manifestations, and return to the worship of the 
Unseen? Other circumstances also seem to fnvor such a 
theory. In 1815, Joseph Merrick, Esq., of Pittsiield, while 
scraping the ground on what has sometimes been called 
" Indian Hill," found four strips of parchment enclosed and 
sewed water-tight in hard, thick leather, having the appear- 
ance of a portion of the trace of a harness. On the 
parchment was written, in Hebrew characters, the identical 
passages of Scripture which the Jews used as Phylacteries, 
viz.: Ex. 13lh, 11th to 16th, Deut. 6th, 4th to 9th, and 
11th, 13th to 21st. In opening the case, Esq. M. destroyed 
one of the strips ; the others Avere sent to the Antiquarian 
Society. For the account of another similar curiosity also 
see Appendix C. 

When the Indians would confer honor upon a person, 



30 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

and y3t not raise him to any office, they had a method of 
doing it by conferring upon him a new and significant name- 
As this custom now exists among some of the Six Nations, 
and probably as it was observed by the Muh-hu-con-ne-ok, 
a speech is first delivered, after which the individual is 
taken by the arm and led around the circle, the chiefs and 
warriors joining in a chant, low at first, but SAvelling into a 
loud, full, wild chorus. He is then conducted to his seat, 
and the new name is conferred upon him. 



SECTION IV. 

THE LANGUAGE OF THE MUH-HE-KA-NE-OK. 

\Gathere.d cMpJly from the Treatise of President Edwards ] 

Mather says of the Indian Languages, that the words 
seem to have been growing ever since the confusion of 
Babel, and instances Kumraogkodonattoottummooetiteaon- 
gannunnonash, — our question. This characteristic, how- 
ever, is more striking in the language of the Six and Eastern 
Nations than in that of the Muh-hc-ka-neew ; yet, in this 
last, there are some words Avhieh seem to end only when 
the powers of the throat are exhausted. Take, for exam- 
ple, oh-quut-a-mou-we-nau-nuh, and an-iieh-oh-quut-a-mou- 
woi-e-auk ; and the difiieulty of speaking is greatly 
increased by the multiplicity of gutturals. Gh has the 
strong guttural sound which the Scots give to the same 
letters in the words enough and tou<^li. U has the sound 
which we give it in unrlr, though much more protracted. 
" E final," says Dr. Edwards, " is never sounded in any 
word that I write, except in monosyllables ; but the other 
vowels are the same as in English. W is a mere conso- 
nant, as in work." Syllables composed only of conso- 
nants are so slightly sounded that tlie particular vowel 
omitted is not distinguished. 

Dr. Edwards observes that most writers who spell 
Indian words from sound, use the letter a when the sound 
is that of oh, or au ; and great mistakes may be made from 
a Avant of understanding between the parlies. For in- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 31 

stance — if a man lioM out his hand to an Indian to know 
the name, he may receive tlie answer "knisk" — thi/ hand; 
but if he touches the liand of the Indian, he is told "nnisk " 
— mi/ hand; and in either case he will set the ans\ver 
down as tlie Indian word for hand, sijnpli/, when in fact 
there is no such word in the language. These circum- 
stances should be considered when words are given in dif- 
ferent dialects to show a similarity. In the tables below, 
the Muh-he-ka-neew words are given by Dr. Edwards, 
whose readiness in that language was such, that during 
the early part of his life his thoughts ran in it, rather 
than in his mother tongue, and the Indians themselves 
pronounced his knowledge perfect. The Chippeway and 
Shawanoe words are gathered by him from other authors, 
and those marked R. W., are from " Roger Williams' 
Key to the Languages of the New England Indians," pub- 
lished in London in 1G43. 

Dr. E. asserts, upon his own authority, that the laa- 
guage of the Muh-he-ka-ne-ok, the Delawares, and the 
various New England tribes was radically the same ; and 
irom the authority of " Capt. Yoghun, a principal Indian 
of the Muh-he-ka-neew Tribe," and from Carver's Travels, 
he includes in the list as originally of one nation, the " Pe- 
nobscots, St. Francis, Ottowaus, Nanticokes, Munsees, Men- 
omonees, Messisaugas, Saukies, Ottagaumies, KilHstinoes, 
Nipegons, Shawanoes, Chippeways, Algonkins, Winneba- 
gqes, &c." But there is evidence that the Munsees — a 
branch of the Delawares, as also the Delawares them- 
selves, were of the Six Nations, whose language, he says 
is totally unlike that of the Muhhe-ka-neew ; so that it is 
impossible to arrange the Indians into nations upon the 
evidence of language only. 

Table of Indian Worth. 

ENGLISH. MUII-HE-KA-KEEW. SHAW4NUE. CIIIFPEWAY. K. W. 

A Bear. Mquoh. Mau-quah. Muck-wah. 

A Beaver. A-mis-que. A-ma-quah. A-mik. 

Ear. To-woh-que. To-wa-cah. 

House Wee-ku-wuhm. We-cu-ah. Wig-waum. 

1 die. Nip. Nip. 

Dead. Nboo-or-ne-poo. Nee-poo. 

His teeth. We-pee-ton. We-pee-ta-lee. 



32 



STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 



ENGLISH. 


MDH-HE-Ka-NEEW, 


. SHAWANOE. 


CIIIPrEWAY. K. W. 


I. 




Ke-ah. 


Ne-lah. 






Thou. 




Ke-ah. 


Ke-lah. 






We. 




Ne-an-nah. 


Ne-lau-w 


eh. 




Ye. 




Ke-au-wuh. 


Ke-lau-weh. 




Make a fire. 




Poo-tou-wah. 






Pout-wab. 


A Spirit. 




Blan-ni-to. 






jMan-itou. Mannitto. 


River. 
Good for nau 


ght. 


Se-poo. 
M-lil. 


The-pee. 




Sip-pim. Scip. 
Ma-la-tat. 


Shoe. 




M-kis-sin. 






Mau-kis-sin. 


The Sun. 




Kee-sough. 






Kis-sis. 


Sit down. 

Winter. 

How. 




Blat-ti-peh. 

H-poon. 

Tu-neh. 






- Min-ti-pin. 
Pe-poun. Pa-pone. 
Tow-ne. 


Marry. 




Wee-ween. 






Wee-win. 


Where. 




Te-hah. 






Tah. 


Go. 




Pu-mis-seh. 






Pim-mous-sie. 



Roger Williams gives Scip, for a river ; Se-po-ese, for 
a little river ; and Se-poe-mese, for a little rivulet. The 
second might be pronounced Se-poe-se, which is the Indian 
name for Konkapot's Brook. He also gives PoAV-waw, for 
a priest ; Nnin, for man ; Nnin-nu-og, for men ; Squaws, 
for woman ; Squaws-suck, women ; Homes, an old man ; 
Home-suck, old men ; Pa-poos, a child ; No-na-nese, an 
infant, Sucki, black; Nip-pa-wus, the sun ; Mun-nan-nock, 
tht moon, &c. The Beaver has several names, but all 
unlike those given it by the Muh-he-ka-ne-ok. Indeed, 
the langz/affcs and the custo/ns seem to be about equally 
similar, so far as can be judged by ilkistrations given ; in 
many cases they are alike, but in many others nnlikc. 

The Muh-he-ka-neew has no diversity of gender, and of 
course the Indians make no distinction when they begin to 
speak English, but use he for she. The plural is formed by 
the addition of a letter or syllable, as Ne-man-nauw, a man ; 
Ne-man-nauk, men ; pe-num-pau-soo, a buy, pe-num-pau- 
soo-uk, buys. 

Of cases they have but one variation from the nominative, 
and that is formed by the addition of an, as wne-chun, his 
or her child, and Avne-chun-an, which equally suits either 
of the other cases. They have no proper adjectives ; none 
which express the qualities of substantives, but use, 



on, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 33 

instead, neuter verbs, as — "Wnis-soo, he is beautiful ; Peh- 
tun-quis-soo, he is tali ; and Dr. Edwards answers the 
question "how these verbs do not become adjectives?" by 
saying tliat "they have all the same variations and declen- 
sions of other verbs," as — 

N-pum-seh, I walk ; — (a verb.) 

K-pum-seh, Thou walk est; 

Pu-mis-soo, He walketh ; 

N-pum-seh-nuh, We walk ; 

K-pum-seh-muh, Ye walk ; 

Pu-mis-soo-uk, They walk ; 

and 

N-peh-tuh-quis-seh, I am tall ; — (an adjective.) 

K-peh-tuh-quis-seh, Thou art tall ; 

Peh-tuh-quis-soo, He is tall ; 

N peh-tuh-quis-seh-nuh, AVe are tall ; 

Iv-peh tuh-quis-seh-muh, Ye are tall ; 

Peh-tuh-ques-soo-uk, They are tall. 
These verbs all have participles ; and as they have no 
relative pronouns answering to our loho, and which, instead 
of saying, The man who icalks, they say, The walking 
man, or The loalker ; and the participles are declined in 
the same manner as the verbs. Again, — instead of sajing 
He is a man, they change the noun Ne-man-nauw, into the 
neuter verb Ne-man-nau-woo, avoiding the necessity of 
auxiliary verbs ; and therefore in speaking English they 
say "//wan," '^Isick" &c. 

To express comparison they use an adverb with the 
verb, as: — 

An-nu-we-weh wnis-soo, He is more beautiful ; 

Kan-nuh wnis-soo. He is very beautiful. 

Ne-man-nau-woo, He is a man ; 

An-nu-wee-weh ne-maun-nau-woo, He is a man of superior 

excellence or courage ; and 
Kan-nuh ne-man-nau-woo, He is a man of extraor- 

dinary excellence or courage. 
Besides the usual pronouns, they express both the sub- 
stantive and adjective pronouns by prefixes or suffixes, 
and sometimes by boih, the pronouns for the singular num- 
ber being ^jrc-fixed, and then, these retained, those for the 
plural being suf-Rxed ; the vow^els also being changed, and 



34 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

transposed. Thus — Tmoli-lie-can, is a hatchet; Ndum- 
he-can, in which o is exchanged for u, and placed before 
the m, is ?ni/ hatchet ; tl-tum-he-can, his hatchet; N-dum- 
he-can-nuh, our hatchet ; K-tum-he-can-oo-wuh, your 
hatchet ; U-tum-he-can-noo-wuh, their hatchet. 

Many of the appellatives, as father, mother, head, hand, 
&c., aie never used without a pronoun prefixed or affixed. 
Muh-he-ka-neew can say Nogh, vit/ fathir, and Kogh, 
thy father, &c. ; but not father, absolutely ; there is no 
such word as Ogh in the language. Objects however 
which do not always have an owner, are spoken of abso- 
lutely. 

The pronouns are prefixed and affixed to verbs, in the 
same manner. They never use a verb without a nomina- 
tive or agent, and never use a transitive verb without 
expressing both the agent and the object. They cannot 
pay To love, I love, Thou givest, &c. ; but say Nduh-whu- 
nuw, I love him or her ; Nduh-whun-tani-min, I love it, 
&c. ; yet they have the abstract words — love, hate, and 
the like. 

Another peculiarity is that the nominative and objective 
pronouns prefixed and suffixed, are always used, even 
though other nominatives and objectives are expressed. 
Thus — they cannot say, John loves Peter; but, John 
u-dah-Avhun-nuw ¥etevan — Juh?i he loves him Peter. 

Again, the pronoun in the objective case is sometimes 
expressed in the same instance by both a prefix and a 
suffix ; as K-thu-whu-nin, / love thee ; in which the k 
prefixed, and the in suffixed, both unite to express, and are 
both necessary to express the objective case — thee. 

They have a past, and a future tense, but generally use 
the present, as — Wnu-ku-woh ndi-o-tu-woh, Yesterday 1 
fght ; when the addition of poh to the last word would 
express — Yesterday I fought. Ndi-o-tu-wauch wup-koh, 
is — T shall fight to-morrow; and Wup-kauch ndi-o-tu-woh. 
To-morrow I fight. But in this last case the change is in 
the word to-morrow, and not in the verb fght. 

There are few prepositions in the language, and those 
are rarely used, except in composition. For instance — 
An-neh is to, and E-cheh is from ; but they are oftenest 
expressed by a change in the verb. Ndogh-peh, is — / 
ride ; but / ride to Wnogh-que-too-kokc, (or Stockbridge, 



OH, UECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 35 

— generally spelled Wnahk-tu-kook) — is not written — An- 
neh Wnogh-qiu'-too-koke ndogh-peli, but \Vn< gli-que-too- 
koke ndin-ne-togh-peh ; and, I ride from Wnogh-quc-toa- 
kukt'., is written — Wnogh-que-too-koke no-che-togh-peh. 
And these prepositions may be thus compounded with any 
other verb. 

The third person singular seems to be the radix of the 
persons of their verbs in the indicative mood, but the sec- 
ond person singular of the imperative is the simplest of 
any form ; as — 

]\Ieet-seh, Eat thou ; 

Meet-soo, He eateth ; 

Nmeet-seh, T eat ; 

Xmeet-seh, Thou eatest. 

The Muh-he-ka-ne-ok distinguish between the various 
family relations in a different manner from the English. 
Ne-toh-con, is the epithet by which an Elder Brother is 
distinguished, N-mase is an Elder Sister, and Nghee-sum 
is Younger Brother or Sister. N-sase is, My Uncle, by 
my Mother's side, and Nuch-eh-que is, My Uncle, by my 
Father's sid'?. 

From these items of Indian grammar it may I'eadily be 
seen why Indians who are in the habit of speaking their 
oion language, of hearing it from the pulpit, and of writing 
it among themselves, make many mistakes in syntax when 
they attempt to speak or write English. No argument 
should be deduced from this to their discredit as men of 
education ; indeed, the writings of well educated English 
people who live among them, previous to correction for the 
public eye, are, to say the least, as erroneous as many 
compositions of the Indians themselves ; and Mr. Sergeant, 
the elder, is the only adult among us who is known to have 
spoken 3Iuh-he-ka-?icetv perf-ctly. Let us be fair, and 
acquire their languages before we call them ignorant, simply 
because they speak ours incorrectly. 

When a modern impostor visited the New York Indians, 
proclaiming her divine mission and character, one of them 
attempted to address her in his native tongue. " Speak to 
me in English," said she, " I cannot understand Indian." 
" "What !" answered an old woman in the croAvd, " You be 
Jesus Christ, and can't understand poor Indian ? Jesus 



30 STOCKBUIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Christ made poor Indian, and lie can imdcrstand him when 
he pray." Such a test effectually silenced the prophetess." 

The following translations may seem to us but unmeaning 
jarcrons; but whether " Our Father" be spoken in the sacred 
Hebrew, the languages of the most polished nations, or the 
rude, unwritten dialects of savage tribes, it is the same 
" Our Father" still ; the same in its heavjnly origin ; the 
same in its solemn truths, and the same in the ear of the 
Universal Father who listens, and of the Elder Brother 
who taught it to the great family of men. Instead then of 
being a mere curiosity, and being read as if it had no 
meaning, each new translation may well be considered as 
another instrument in the sacred band of harmonious 
woi'ship, another foretaste of that day when every kindred, 
and tongue, and nation, shall unite in fraternal communion, 
ascribing glory and honor, and power, to Him that sitteth 
ujion the throne, and to the Lamb — forever and ever. 
Translatioi by Apostle Eliot into the language of the 
Eastern Indians of New England. 

Nashen ke-suk-qut, Our Father heaven in ; Qut-tian-at- 
a-mu-na, hallowed; Kto-we-su-onk, Thy noinc ; Pe-you- 
mutch, come ; Kuk-ke-tas-su-ta-moonk, Thy kingdotn , 
Kut-ten-an-ta-moonk-nen, Thy tvill ; nach-oh-keit, done 
earth on ; ne-ane, as ; ke-suk-qut, heaven in. Nam-meet- 
su-on-gash, Our food; a-se-ku-suk-o-kish, daily ; a-san- 
cau-ne-an, ^eve us ; }eu-yeu ke-su-kod, this day ; kah, and; 
ah-uuan-ta-maun-ne-an, forgive us ; num-match-e-se-on- 
gash, our si7is ; ne-ane, as ; mat-che-ne-kuk-quen-gid, 
wicked doers ; nu-tah-quon-ta-moun-no-nog, tee forgive 
them ; ah-que, also ; sag-kom-pa-gu-nai-in-nean, lead us ; 
en qutch-hu-a-on-ga-nit, not temptation in. We-he, Oh ; 
poh-quoh-wus-sin-nean, deliver; wutch-match, evil; i-tut, 
from ; ne-wut-che, for ; ku-tah-taun, thine ; ke-tas-su-ta- 
monk, kingdom ; kah, and ; me-nuh ke-su-onk, power : 
kah, and ; soh-su-moonk, glory ; mi-cheme, forever ; 
Amen. 

Dialect of the Six Nations. 

So-ang-wau-ne-ha cau-rounk-yaw-ga teh-see-ta-roan 

sauh-sone-you-sta esa sa-wa-na-jou o-ket-tauh-se-la eh- 

neau-wo-ung na cau-rounk-yaw-ga nugli-won-shau-ga nc-a- 

te-weh-ne-sa-lau-ga taug-wau-nau-to-ro-no-an-ough-sick to- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 37 

an-taug-we-lee-whe-you-sta-uiig clie-nee-yeut cha-qua-tau- 
leh-wlie-you-staun-na touiih-sou tauir-waus-sa-re-neh ta- 
wau tot-te-nau-ga-lough-toung-jra na-saw-ne sa-che-au-taug- 
was co-an-teh-sa-le-haun-za-ic-kavv esa sa-wau-ue-you e-a 
sa-sliouty-ta esa souug-wa-soung chen-iie-au-baung-wa ; 

AUWEN. 

Dialect of the Stockhridge Indinvs, called by President 
Edwards, the Moliegan. 

Nogh-niih, ne-sp'ini-muc'< oi-e-on taugh mau-weh wneh 
wtu-ko-sea-uk nean-ne un-nu-woi-e-on. Tangh-ne aun- 
chu-wu-tam-mun wa-\veh-tu-seek ma-vveh noh pum-mek. 
Ne-an-noi-hit-teech mau-weh u-wau-neek noh h-key 
oi-ech-cek ne an-nchu-wu-tam-mun, ne au-noi-hit-tut neek 
spum-muk oi-ech-eck. Me-ne-nau-nuh noo-tioh wuh-ka- 
mauk t-quogh null uh-liuyu-ia-mauk ngum-mau-weh. — 
Oh-quut-a-tnou-we-nau-nuli au-neh mu-mach-oi-e-au-keh, 
ne an-neh oh-quut-a-mou-w<n-e-auk num-peh neek mu- 
mach-eh an-ne-ho-quauk-eek. Cheen hquuk-quauch-eh 
si-uk-eli an-ne-he-nau-nuh. Pan-nee-weli h-tou-we-iiau- 
nuh neen maum-teh-keli. Ke-ah ng-weli-cheh kwi-ou-vvan- 
weli mau-weh noh pum-meh ; ktan-woi ; es-tah a-waun 
wtin-noi-yu-wun ne au-noi-e-you ; han-wee-weh ne ktin- 
noi-een. Amen. 

It is the opinion of Mr. Byington, missionary to the 
Choctaws, that many long words in the Indian languages 
are as really sentences as those which they express are 
sentences in ours, and that it is only the rapid enunciation 
of the savage tribes, or their habit of drawing one word 
into another, which has deceived those who have translated 
Indian dialects. He says thut such is the case with the 
Choctaws, and that for a time the missionaries were led 
into a mistake ; and he believes that Mr. Sergeant was in 
the same error when he translated the Catechism. — 
Whether or not this could have been the case with Pres. 
Edwards, lingui>ts must decide for themselves. He cer- 
tainly appears to have understood, not ordy the sound, but 
the structure of the language, and Mr Slingerland, of the 
Stockbridge tribe, replies to the remark of Mr. Byington 
that he " supposes the southern tongues unlike theirs," 
3 



38 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PEESEITT ; 

SECTION V. 

FIRST PURCHASE OF LAND IN HOUSATONIC. 

Although the Charter of Massachusetts Bay extended 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Dutch, who were not 
liked as neighbors, had settled along the Hudson : and for 
this reason, and through fear of the descent of the French 
and Indians from Canada, the west part of Massachu- 
setts was the last to be settled, and, indeed, for a century 
after the settlement of the coast, was but little known. 

"In 1722, Joseph Parsons, and 17G others, living in the 
County of Hampshire, petitioned the General Assembly 
of Massachusetts for two townships, within the said county, 
upon the river Housatonic," the County of Hampshire, at 
that time, extending to the line of the Dutch settlements. 
The petition was granted Jan. 30, 1722, and a committee 
appointed to make the purchase of the Indians, divide tlie 
tract, and admit settlers. The towns were to be seven 
miles square, and land was " to be reserved for the first 
settled minister, for the future support of the Gospel, and 
for schools." Each proprietor ivas to pay thirty shillings ; 
and this fund was to purchase the land, lay it out, and 
build churches and school houses. The committee met at 
Springfield, March 19, 1723, and received the names of 
55 settlers, and on the 25th of April, 1724, the Indians 
gave a deed of the whole, signed by Konkapot and twenty 
other Indians at Westfield, " m consideration of £450, 3 
barrels of cider, and 30 quarts of rum." 

Within this tract was included, besides other towns, the 
greater part of Stockbridge and West Stockbridge. A few 
families of Indians lived on the south of Green River, 
near the line between Barrington and Sheffield, forming a 
village called Ska-te-hook, and the line of purchase was 
run so as not to disturb them. The time had been when 
the natives were more numerous in Great Bari-ington, and 
their utensils and weapons of Indian manufacture were 
often found. A " Great Wigwam," or Castle, as it was 
sometimes called, stood on the bank of the river, half a 
mile below the bridge afterwards built by the whites, and 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 39 

tradition says that the spot Avas once the site of " a consid- 
erable settlement." Three-fourths of a mile above the 
bridge, an Indian burial ground has been discovered. A 
few families also lived in New Marlborough, others in 
Pittsfield, then Poontoosuc, or Field of the Winter Deer, 
and others still, in this place, called by them W-nahk-ta- 
kook, or The Great Meadow. The cabin of Konkapot 
stood ufon a knoll, on the east side of the Barrington road, 
and a few rods north of the brook which bears his name. 
He gave to his friend and interpreter, Jehoiakim Van 
Valkenburgh, 40 acres of meadow, and 250 acres of 
upland adjoining. The house of Van Valkenburgh stood 
on the site since occupied by Mr. Francis Dresser ; and of 
course the meadow lay at the west end of what is now our 
village, and the upland was on the southern slope of the 
hill. A few other Dutch families had settled here previ- 
ous to 1731. Umpachenee, another distinguished Indian, 
resided in Ska-te-hook. The name is now spelled 
Au-pauch-chi-nau. The Charter, given by Gov. Belcher, 
is preserved in this town. 



SECTION VI. 

DAY-BREAK IN nOUSATONIC. 

" KoxKAPOT, the principal man among the Muh-he-ka- 
ne-ok of Massachusetts, was," says Mr. Hoj^kins, " strictly 
temperate, very just and upright in his dealings, a man of 
prudence and industry, and inclined to embrace the Chris- 
tian religion ;" but he had two objections ; one, the fear 
that his people would discard him, and the other, the sad 
truth that the conversation of the Christians about him 
was even worse than that of the heathen. This coming 
*' accidentally," (providentially?) to the knowledge of Mr. 
Hopkins, minister of West Springfield, through his neigh- 
bor, Mr. Ebenezer Miller, he resolved that the Gospel 
should be preached to them, not by the lives of mere nom- 
inal Christians, but, God granting, in its purity and power ; 
and having learned, the May preceding, that funds were 
deposited by the " Society for the Promotion of the Gos- 



40 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

pel in Foreign parts," in the hands of Commissioners in 
Boston for such purposes, and knowing also that John 
Stoddard, Esq., of Northampton, was most intimately 
acquainted with the state of the Indian Tribes, he visited 
him, March 11, 1734. Of Esquire Stoddard he learned 
that the River Indians were the largest of any tribe near 
the English settlements ; that the prospect of doing them 
good was greater than was afforded at the Forts, where 
missionaries had been stationed, and yet that nothing had 
been done to civilize them — worse than nothing to christian- 
ize them. His next step was to confer with Rev. Stei^hen 
"Williams, D. 1)., of Longmeadow, one of the " Redeemed 
Captives," and at their request Rev. William "Williams of 
Hatfield, wrote to the Commissioners, and they immediately 
requested Dr. Williams and Mr. Hopkins to make a journey 
to Housatonic and ascertain the feelings of the Indians 
upon the subject. But as Governor Belcher had conferred 
a Captain's commission upon Konkapot, and the commission 
of Lieutenant upon Umpachenee, and they would be obliged 
to come to Springfield to receive them, Mr. Hopkins and 
Dr. Williams thought best to confer with them first ; and 
accordingly called at their lodges, May 22d, and, through 
Van Valkenburgh, proposed the subject to them. Captain 
Konkapot seemed very earnest, and Umpachenee said that 
he would not oppose ; still, they could speak only for 
themselves, and wished the ministers to visit the Tribe 
and gam the consent of all ; and July was fixed upon as 
the time for the journey. When that time arrived Mr. 
Hopkins was sick, and Rev. Nehemiah Bull of Westfield 
took his place. A road had been cut through the wilder- 
ness since the purchase of Housatonic, but it lay over the 
rugged, as a less evil than the icet ; and those acquainted 
with the face of the country between Springfield and 
Stockbridge, may perhaps form some concej^tion of the 
pleasure of the trip. July 8, 1734, however, they arrived 
safely in Housatonic, and were cordially welcomed by 
Capt. Konkapot. The people being assembled, they asked 
four days to consider the subject ; and at the end of that 
time all gave in their names to the ministers as tokens of 
their assent, and received a belt of wampum in confirma- 
tion of the agreement. Lieut. Umpachenee was now as 
cordial as Capt. Konkapot. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 41 

SECTION VII. 

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MISSION. 

Not long after the return of tlie ministers, Dr. Wil- 
liams waited upon the Commissioners at Boston — viz., 
Gov. Belcher, Dr. Colman, Dr. Sewall, Esquires T. and 
E. Hutchinson, and T. Steel, and A. Winthrop, Esqrs., — 
acquainting them with the good disposition of the Indians. 
The Commissioners were satisfied with the report, and 
Aug. 16, appointed Messrs. Williams and Bull a committee 
to seek some suitable person for the office of missionary, 
offering him £100 a year for his support. 

Mr. John Sergeant, a native of Newai-k, New Jer- 
sey, was at the time a Tutor in Yale College. He had 
been heai-d to say that he would prefer the life of a mis- 
sionary among the Indians to any other ; and this being 
reported to the Committee, they made application to him 
in September. He replied that, with the consent of the 
Rector and Trustees, be would agree to spend one half 
of the year with the Indians until he should have carried 
his pupils through their course of studies, and after that, if 
his labors proved successful, he would take up his resi- 
dence with them for life. The answer was accepted, and, 
Oct. 8, he left New Haven for his new field of labor. 
Mr. Sergeant had long prayed for such an opening, and 
the state of his mind when his prayers were answered, 
proved their sincerity. In his diary he says : — 

" I was sensible I must not only lose a great many agree- 
able amusements of life, especially in leaving my business 
at College, which was the most agreeable to me that could be, 
but also expose myself to many fatigues or hardships, and I 
know not to what dangers ; yet I was so far from being 
unwilling, that I was rather desirous to improve what abilities 
I had in such an undertaking. Indeed I should be ashamed 
to own myself a Christian, or even a man. and yet utterly 
refuse doing what lay in my power to cultivate humanity, and 
to promote the salvation of souls.'' 

Mr. Bull was chosen to introduce the pastor to his future 
charge ; and they left Westfield on the afternoon of Oct. 
1 1 , intending to pass the night at the only house on the 



42 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND present; 

road. This, however, they failed to reach, and spent it in 
the open air. The second day they arrived at Ilousa- 
tonic ; and notice having been given, the Indians assembled 
at Barrington, about twenty adults being present, and 
there heard the fii'st sermon from Mr. Sergeant. Good 
attention was given, especially by Capt. Konkapot and his 
family, and prospects seemed altogether as favorable as 
had been anticipated. 



SECTION VIII. 

FORMATION OF THE CHURCH. 

Mr. Sergeant's interpreter having lived among the 
whites, and those, it would seem, of good moral character, 
had gained a fair knowledge of the Christian religion, and 
was anxious to become openly a believer. A meeting 
was accordingly appointed at the house of Lieut. Umpa- 
chenee on Thursday, the 18th of October, 1734, where 
he passed a satisfactory examination. Mr. Bull then 
offered a prayer, which the candidate interpreted, Mr. Ser- 
geant delivered a short discourse, and then Mr. Bull 
administered the rite of baptism, giving to the candidate 
the appropriate name of Ebenezer, he entering into the 
following profession and covenant : — 

" Through the goodness of God towards me, in bringing me 
into the way of the knowledge of the Gospel, I am convinced 
of the truth of the Chislian Religion, and that it is the only 
way that leads to salvation and Jiappinesi. I therefore freely 
and heartily forsake h"atlienish darkness, and embrace the light 
of the Gospel, and the way of holiness. And do now, in 
presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of hearts, and before 
many witnesses, seriously and solemnly take the Lord Jeho- 
vah to be my God and portion, Jesus Christ, His Son, to be 
my Lord and Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost to be my Sanc- 
tifier and Teacher. And I do now covenant and promise, by 
the help of Divine Grace, that I will cleave to the Lord with 
purpose of heart, believing his revealed truths, as far as I can 
gain the knowledge of them, obeying his commands, both 
those which mark out my duty, and those that forbid sin, — 
siucerel}', and uprightly to the end of my life." 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 43 

The former name of Ebenezer, which now became his 
surname, seems to have been Poopoonuk, or Pau-paum- 
nuk. This was the commencement of our Church organ- 
ization, and the covenant into which the candidate now 
entered w;is evidently the one used by the church for 
many years, with slight alterations, of course, for those 
trained in the Christian faith. Here our earthly leaders 
v«et up their Ebenezer, for hitherto the Lord had helped 
them; nor should the stone of help be yet removed. He 
has been v,'ith us in six troubles, and in seven lias not for- 
saken us. Let us continue to trust Him. 

One suggestion : — would it not be both pleasant and 
profitable, if we and our twin sister church in the West 
would commemorate this our birth-day by appropriate 
religious exercises, and by the interchange of fraternal 
epistles in season to be read upon tlie occasion? 

— #— 
SECTION IX. 

PnOGSESS OF LIGHT, 

Long and dark was the night which had brooded over 
Housatonie, and deadly Avere the damps upon the spirit of 
the Muh-he-ka-neew ; but now the Sun of Righteousness 
had risen with healing in his beams ; the mists were roll- 
ing away upon the mountains, and though now and then a 
cloud cast a shadow upon the valleys, still the bright prom- 
ise of noonday cheered the laborers on to their toil. 

At the meeting in Ska-te-hook on Thursday, Ebenezer 
pointed out to INIr. Sergeant a little boy, named Showanun, 
who had torn himself from a loving and beloved father 
that he might receive instruction from the missionary. 
Perhaps he was unduiiful ; but when the salvation of the 
soul is at stake, it is iiard to condemn. 

At the same time, the Indians consulted together upou 
a plan for future action ; and the decision was, that during 
the winter season they should collect at Barrington where 
there was wood and water, and where some English fami- 
lies had settled, with whom Mr. Sergeant could board ; 



44 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

though, through the summer, they must be scattered for the 
purf)Ose of cuhivating their lands. 

Sabbath, Oct. 20, Mr. Sergeant preached twice to atten- 
tive audiences — Van Valkenburg interpreting — and on 
]Monday the Indians commenced, with light hearts and 
ready hands, the erection of a public building, which was 
to serve as church and school-house. Ai-ound this they 
built small huts for themselves, and Avere soon settled in 
them for the winter. In the mt-antirae, Mr. Sergt-ant 
visited W-nahk-ta-kook and Ska-te-hook, and gathered in 
each place nine or ten children from the few famibes resi- 
dent there, who treated him with great respect, and seemed 
very eager in the pursuit of knowledge. Sabbath, Nov. 3, 
the audience was greatly increased, and for the first time 
Mr. Sei-geant, by an interpreter, led them in prayer. 

November 5th, he opened a school in the new building, 
and soon numbered over twenty scholars. But having 
been r- quested to visit Albany to inquire into the disposi- 
tion of the Mohawks, he left on the 25th, and did not 
return until Saturday, Nov. 30. During his absence, Mr. 
Hopkins had procured fur him an assistant, Mr. Timothy 
VVoodbridge, "a young man well qualified for the work of 
teaching and catechizing;" and to him the mission was 
intrusted on the return of 3Ir. Sergeant to New Haven. 
To both missionai'ies the children very readily attached 
themselves. 

Before his departure, however. Mr. Sergeant Avas called 
to meet ditficuhies and discouragements. Lord's Day, 
Dec. 8, he had but few hearers, and the previous week had 
been one of trial. The Dutch were in the practice of fur- 
nishing spirits to the Indians and then trading with them 
Avhile in a state of intoxication ; and they were strongly 
opposed to the establishment of nnssions among them. — 
This Aveek they had been in Barrington, and while they 
sold poison for the bodies of the Indians, they very dili- 
gently furnished poison for their souls Avithout compensa- 
tion. They told the Indians that the Government Avere 
not their friend-:, and for that reason, would not allow pri- 
vate individuals to sell intoxicating liquors to them; and 
that the de.-ign of the m ssionaries was to capture them 
and their families lor slaves. Many became too deeply 
iufected, body and soul, to venture themselves in the place 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 4o 

of worship on the Sabbath, and -except the Lord had been 
upon the side of truth, they had been swallowed up 
quickly. But Mr. Sergeant requested the In 'ians to meet 
at his boarding-place on Sabbath evening, and so far suc- 
ceeded in winning back their confidence, that not only 
Capt. Konkapot committed to his care his only son, Nung- 
ka-wat, a lad nine years of age, but Lieut. Umpachenee, 
whose mind had been soured, though he had refrained 
from drinking, consented that his eldest son, E-to-wau- 
kaum, eight years old, should also spend the winter in 
New Haven. 

Monday morning, Dec. 0, they started on their journey, 
going by the way of Westfield. The boys bore its fatigues 
with exemplary patience, and arrived at New Haven on 
the 14th, where they attended school with white children, 
and lodged in the College with Mr. Sergeant. Every one 
took notice of them, and strove to please them, and they 
were contented and happy. They proved also to be boys 
of unusual promise, particularly E-to-wau-kaum. 

Mr. Sergeant had during his stay instructed the Indians 
in the great principles of the Bible, endeavoring to correct 
their notions of God the Creator, ot good and of evil, and 
of rewards and punishments, so far as they were wrong, 
and add to them those doctrines of which they were igno- 
rant. Of Capt. Konkapot he says, in a letter to the Com- 
missioners, " he is an excellent man. and I do believe has 
the true spirit of Christianity in him." Strong drink, 
loose, vicious persons Christian in name, and selfish traders 
he mentions as the only enemies to success. 

Dec. 10, Mr. Sergeant %vrote to the Indians, assuring 
them that they were '-always in his heart," and dissuading 
them from listening again to those who would keep them in 
darkness. "Ivnowledge," he says, "is certainly good. It 
is to the mind, what light is to the eye. You would think 
them your greatest enemies that should endeavor to put 
out your eyes, especially if you were traveling a difficult 
road. This world is like a thick and entangled wilder- 
ness ; and why should rot you, as well as other people, 
enjoy the benefit of the light. Truth is more precious 
than the light of the sun. Don't sufl^er your enemies to 
impr'se upon you." 

This letter was very joyfully received, especially as the 



46 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT! 

River Indians generally were about to hold a council at 
Housatonic to consider the practicability of the mission. 
" They who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suirer per- 
secution." If Satan has no instrument at hand, he will do 
this work himself; but if others can be employed, two 
evils are accomplished, and he has double gain. The 
Indians at Housatonic had heard tliat those of their tribe 
who were still settled upon the Hudson, highly resented 
their conduct, feeling themselves dishonored by not being 
earlier consulted, and tliat a project was on foot to poison 
Konkapot and Umpachenee. They were more particularly 
angry with these men because they had received commis- 
sions from the Governor. The report may have been true ; 
or it may, as the English suspected, have been invented by 
the designing traders ; but so greatly were the poor Indians 
alarmed, that they requested the attendance of some of the 
clergymen of the county as their friends. Accordingly, 
Mr. Samuel Hopkins of West Springtield, the projector, 
and afterwards the Historian of the Mission, together with 
Dr. Williams of Longmeadow, and John Ashley, Esq., of 
Westfield came, Jan. 15th, 1735. The Indians from the 
river did not arrive until Saturday, the 19 th. On Sabbath, 
Mr. Hopkins preached to the English at Sheffield, who 
were without a pastor, and Dr. Williams preached to one 
hundred and fifty or two hundred Indians. After the 
Sabbath, various conferences were held ; a letter was read 
from John Stoddard, Esq., and the whole matter was so 
satisfactorily explained, that the Indians from abroad 
expressed their thanks to the ministers, and requested that 
the pastor and teacher would go forward in their work, 
intimating that they themselves might Avish to receive 
instruction. 

But such meetings were always closed with drinking, 
and "frolicking," as dancing was then called, and as soon 
as all was over, several of tlie Housatonic Indians fell sick, 
and two of them died. This was not surprising to the 
whites, as their excess in eating and drinking, and expo- 
sure to the cold when heated in the dance were suflicient 
to induce diseases. But the poor Indians were terrified, 
and Feb. 21 they held, or performed, a Powwaw at the 
wigwam of Umpachenee, to discover the murderers, who, 
they thought, would be visible to the priest. Capt. Kon- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 47 

kapot attended ; Mr. Woodbridge also rode down in the 
evening, being informed by Ebenezer Poopoonuck of their 
intention. More than forty Indians were present. When 
!ftli\ Woodbridge arrived, tlie ceremony had not com- 
menced, and they gave him permission to attend and wit- 
ness it. In the morning, he explained to them the sinful 
nature of the custom, and they resolved never to be guilty 
of it again ; indeed, those best instructed seemed deeply 
penitent. Capt, Konkapot had not gone without inform- 
ing the teacher of what he was about to do ; but Mr. 
Woodbridge did not understand him, and was not suspi- 
cious of any WTong. 

Early in February, Ebenezer visited Mr, Sergeant at 
New Haven, and returned with another letter, in wliich 
occur such sentiments as these : — " I am very glad to hear 
that you are well, and that all things go well with you. 
My heart is with you, though I am so far distant from you. 
But the greatest pleasure of all is that you have it yet in 
your hearts to become Christians. When I had heard 
that you concluded in your late general meeting to 
embrace Clu-istianity, it was more pleasing to me than 
cold water to a thirsty man in the heat of summer, or a 
jDlentiful meal to one almost starved Avith hunger, or good 
success to one who has hunted a great while in vain." 

By the middle of the month, sugar-making came on ; 
and as all then re"paired to the woods, and remained until 
the end of March or the middle of April, Mr. Woodbridge 
took this time to visit his friends in West Springfield. By 
him the Indians wi'ote to those clergymen who had inter- 
ested themselves in their behalf, informing them that 
though their business now called them, with their families, 
abroad, yet in a little time they should return and receive 
farther instruction ; and they desii'ed that their removal 
might not be interpreted as an expression of disaffection 
toAvards the new religion, as they were still resolved to in- 
crease in the knowledge and practice of it so soon as cir- 
cumstances should permit. To this the ministers replied, 
April 10th, 173;}, expressing their satisfaction in the good 
disposition and progress of the Indians, and their readiness 
to aid them to the extent of their abilities. 

In the spring, Capt. Konkapot, Lieut. Umpachenee, his 
brother Toh-toh-kuk-hoo-naut, and Ebenezer, went to New 



48 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Haven to wait upon Mr. Sergeant to Hoiisatonic, and to 
bring back the boj^s. Mr. Sergeant entertained them with 
much respect, showed them the curiosities of the college, 
and was gratified with their good behavior and attention. 
May 8th they started for Housatonic, and arrived on the 
night of the 10th, Saturday, having left Nung-haw-wat in 
New Haven to pursue his studies still farther. On the 
Sabbath the audience was solemn, Umpachenee's wife wept 
almost constantly, and Konkapot was often in tears. Mr. 
Sergeant remained only sixteen days ; but two schools 
were kept up during the time, one in W-nahk-ta-kook, and 
the other in Ska-te-hook. 

July 1, 1735, Mr. Sergeant dismissed his class in col- 
lege and left New Haven for Housatonic, where he arrived 
on the 5th, and on the next week commenced teaching. 
Two schools were again taught, Mr. Sergeant and Mr. 
Woodbridge changing places every week. 

July 13th, came another trial of faith. The Indians 
had gone into the New York country to assist the Dutch 
in their harvest, where they would be exposed to the 
strongest temptations, and the bare walls of the church 
might well ring with the gloomy forbodings. Yet the Lord 
was better to them than their fears. The Spirit was pres- 
ent in the assembly, Capt. Konkapot was constantly bathed 
in tears ; and when the laboi-ers returned during the week, 
they were found to have endured beyond expectation. 
One man in particular, W-naum-pee, had resolutely held 
his ground, saying that he " designed to go to heaven, and 
must break off from such wickedness." The close of this 
harvest season brings us to a new and important era in the 
history of the Housatonic Mission. 



SECTION X . 

ORDINATION OK MR. SERGEANT. 

Writing to Dr. Colman after his return to New Haven 
in the spring of 1735, Mr. Sergeant expressed his belief 
that the Spirit of God was at work among the Indians, and 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 49 

his willingness to devote his future life to labors among 
them. He also says, " there is now, and I hojie will be, 
work enough for two ; I hope therefore that Mr. Wood- 
bridge will be maintained with me." £100 each, he was 
convinced, would no more than meet their expenses, as the 
necessaries of life must be obtained at great cost ; but he 
leaves it to the commissioners, remarking that money alone 
was no temptation at all to him to devote himself to such a 
life ; yet he thought it no more than reasonable that he 
should receive so much as would leave his mind free from 
worldly cares and anxieties. 

Another subject mentioned in this letter was his ordina- 
tion. Some of the Indians wished to be baptized, and he 
tliought them prepared for the ordinance ; but he was not 
himself qualified to administer it. For this reason he 
wished to be ordained as soon as his labors at the college 
were closed, either at Housatonic, which would be least 
expensive, or at some other place appointed by the Com- 
missioners. 

Several weeks passed after the receipt of this letter be- 
fore the Commissioners again met; but August 13th, JVIi*. 
Sergeant received a letter from Adam Winthrop Esq., Sec- 
retary, notifying him that the last of August had been ap- 
pointed for his ordination. The Governor and Council 
were to meet delegates from several tribes of Indians at 
that time in Deerfield, and Mr. Sergeant and his flock were 
requested to repair thither, that he might receive ordina- 
tion in that place. As we have seen, he was then in 
Housatonic. The Indians set out on the 18th, but Mr. S. 
was at that time too sick to leave. His disease was inter- 
mittent fever, Av^iich all immigrants were obliged to pass 
through. Mr. Woodbridge was also seized about the same 
time, and compelled to suspend his labors until November, 
spending several weeks of the time in West Springfield 
with his friends. 

August 25, the Governor, and a large Committee from 
the Council and House of Representatives arrived, and 
the week was spent in forming a treaty, ratifying the peace 
and friendship which existed, and exchanging pledges. 
On the evening of Friday, the 29th, Mr. Sergeant reached 
Deerfield, and the moi-ning of the Sabbath, August 31, 
was set apart for the services of the Ordination. The 



50 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND FRESENT ? 

neighboring ministers attended, the usual congregation 
■worshiping in the church assembled ; many of the Indian 
delegates Avere grave sj^ectators of the scene ; the Gover- 
nor and Council were in their places, and the Housatonic 
Indians, seated by themselves, completed the motley and 
interesting group. 

As an introduction to the Ordination, the Rev. "William 
Williams, of Ilattield, addressed the Governor, noticing 
the goodness of God in leading British christians to seek 
the salvation of the heathen ; the submitting of this work 
to the direction of an honorable Corporation there ; the 
appomtment by them of a body of Commissioners here, at 
the head of which was his Excellency, to act as their 
agents in this cause, and theii* having found a suitable per- 
son to instruct the Housatonic Indians according to their 
own desire, and he " humbly asked if it Avere his Excel- 
lency's pleasure that the Pastors then convened should 
proceed to set him apart for that work." — To which the 
Governor manifested his approbation. 

Mr. Williams then observed to ]Mi'. Sergeant, that he 
understood his Excellency, in the name of the Commis- 
sioners, to desire him to take upon himself the Ministry 
and service of a Missionary to the Housatonic Indians, 
and he asked if he were willing to devote himself to that 
work ? Mr. Sergeant gave his assent, and the ordination 
services were performed. 

After the Fellowship of the Elders had been given. 
Rev. Dr. Williams, of Longmeadow, asked the Indians, 
through an interjiretcr, if they were willing to receive Mr, 
Sergeant, thus solemnly set apart to the work of teacher, 
among them. The Indians signified their assent by rising. 
The Sermon was preached by 'Mi; Appleton of Cambridge, 
and was published not long afterwards. 

The Indians Avere greatly rejoiced that they had noAv a 
settled Pastor, aa'Iio could not only break to them the bread 
of life, but admmister to them the Gospel ordinances ; and 
they were delighted too Avitli GoA'ernor Belcher, A\dio treat- 
ed them at all times Avith great kindness, and even tender- 
ness. Mr. Sergeant Avent from Deerfield to Ncav Jersey, 
to visit his friends, and returaed to Housatonic by Avay of 
New Haven, bringing Avith him the son of Captain Kon- 
kapot. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 51 



SECTION XI. 

FIRST SPIRITUAL HARVEST IN HOUSATONIC. 

October 26, Mr. Sergeant commenced his labors as 
ordained pastor, and was received with great satisfiictiou 
by the Indians. He pi-oposed baptism to Capt. Konkapot 
and his family, and A'isited him at his liouse during the 
•week to pre2)are him for the solemnity. No church meet- 
ing need be called for the examination of the candidates, 
since Ebenezer Poopoonah, the interpreter, constituted 
The Church, and accordingly on Lord's Day, November 
2, Capt. Konkapot Avas baptized by the name of John, his 
wife by the name of Mary, and his eldest daughter by the 
name of Catharine. The ceremony was of course per- 
formed in Barrington, and as the weather was unfavorable, 
the younger children could not go down. But a large 
audience, both of whites, and of Indians, Avitnessed the 
ceremony, and a deep sense of the solemnity of the act 
seemed to rest upon the minds of the candidates. 

The next pastoral labor of Mr. Sergeant was an unusu- 
al one. Ebenezer Poopoonah was now a christian man ; 
lie wished also to be a christian husband; and having been 
duly published according to the laws of the Colony; he 
and his ivife were married in the English, which he con- 
sidered the christian form, November 7, 173o. 

November 9, the son of Ebenezer was baptized, and 
also the son and other daughters of Capt. Konkapot. 
Lieut. Umpachenee too, and his wife, presented a request 
for baptism on the next Sabbath. They met Mr Sergeant 
at his lodgings in the evening, and received very direct 
and particular instructions preparatory thereto ; and often 
afterwards the Lieutenant referred to that evening as the 
time when the tinith fully enter'ed his understanding and 
his heart. November IG, they Avere baptized by the names 
of Aaron and Hannah ; and at the same time the sister of 
Hannah, and the wife of Ebenezer professed their faith. 
Lieut. L'mpachenee and Avife also brought their children 
to receive the ordinance. It AA^as a solemn scene. The 
Indians generally seemed more interested than ever before, 



62 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

and the exercises were renewed in the evening, and at the 
desire of the audience continued until a late hour. They 
could never, they thought, tire of hearing the good, and 
the great things of the kingdom. 

These Sabbath evening Lectures were continued after 
this for several weeks, and the Spirit of God was evidently 
present to bless. November 23, W-naum-pee and wife, 
Toh-toh-kuk-hoo-naut, brother of Lieut. Umpachenee, and 
some others, professed their faith in Christ, and the child- 
ren of W-naum-pee were baptized upon the faith of their 
parents. In all eleven persons received the ordinance. 

On Saturday, November 29, a Susquehannah Indian 
arrived at Housatonic, who remained about a month, list- 
ening attentively to the word of God, and evidently delight- 
ed with what he heard. He had been a vicious, drunken 
fellow ; but having heard something of the true religion, 
he had entirely reformed, and like many Housatonic 
Indians, had adopted the system of total abstinence. His 
name was Un-na-qua-nut. 

Dec. 7, nine more persons were baptized, and Dec. 14, 
Naw-naw-ne-ke-nuk, one of the principal men, " a good 
tempered, talented, honest, kind, and faithfid citizen," was 
added to the number. His new name seems to have been 
David. 

It was about this time that the Indians passed a resolution 
" to have no trading in rum," a purpose to which Mr. 
Sergeant says, they steadily adhered. The time had come 
too to hold th(} Kentikaw, or dance, which should close the 
mourning for those supposed to have been poisoned at the 
great council; and lest they might err again through a 
want of understanding, they asked Mr. Sergeant's advice, 
distinctly explaining to him the nature and design of the 
ceremony. He told them that he saw no harm in it ; and 
so far indulged their innocent national feelings as to be 
present upon the occasion. In accordance with their 
Temperance Pledge, no spirituous liquors were furnished, 
and their friends, when invited, were requested not to bring 
any with them. Un-na-qua-nut was one of the guests, and 
left two bright boys in the school, one of whom, Mr. 
Sergeant remarked, "learned at a prodigious rate." Little 
spirits was brought, and the sobriety and good beliavior of 
the Housatonic Indians was much noted. The Lieutenant 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 53 

particularly distinguished himself by his own temperance, 
and by his exhortations to otliers. One half of the 
congregation convened at his house on Sabbath, Jan. 18, 
consisting of 80 or 90 adults, was composed of the strangers, 
and they expressed their approbation of the christian 
religion, and their good wishes for the mission. Some* 
manifested a desire to remove to Housatonie, that they 
might sit under the droppings of the sanctuary, and two 
families did remain. 

Little more than one year had now elapsed, since the 
first ray of Gospel light broke upon Housatonie. Then 
the Indians, "great and small, numbered less than fifty." — 
At this time forty children attended the school, and several 
adults were learning to read. Many had professed their 
faith in the Savior, and brought their little ones to receive 
the sign of the covenant — in all, forty persons. Heathen 
customs were renounced, and a stand had been taken in 
the cause of Temperance which might well put to the 
1)lush communities of nominal Christians. Indeed the In- 
dians were, themselves, surprised at the change, and com- 
pared the past and the present to sleeping and waking, 
darkness and light, &:c., and Mr. Sergeant expresses his 
belief that what was wanting in knowledge, in the Indian 
Christians, was made up in zeal and integrity. 

Nor was this all ; the blessing was not confined to Hous- 
atonie. The leaven was permeating the whole lump. — 
The River, or iUuh-he-ka-neew Tribe, in the various set- 
tlements, were taking knowledge of the Housatonics, that 
that they had been with Jesus, and were giving glory to 
the Most High ; and to the present day,the history of the 
Housatonie Mission, rightly written, is a Hymn of Praise. 



SECTION XII. 

REMOVAL TO STOCKBRIDGE. 

Hitherto the History of the Housatonie Mission has 
been the History, not of Stockbridge only, but also of 
Barrington and Sheffield. From the year 1735, however, 



54 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

it is mostly confined to Stockbridge alone ; and eacli de- 
partment of labor, or class of facts, will be more distinctly 
seen by the reader, and more readily referred to by the 
antiquarian, if we drop, for a few years, the consecutive 
manner of recording events, and give to each class its own 
section. And tirst — 

The Incorporation and Settlement of Stockbridge. 

The necessity of suspending labor, to a great degree, 
through the warm season, that the Indians might cultivate 
their own lands, was, it will be seen, a great bar to im- 
provement, and it was thought that could an exchange be 
made, so that all might hold lands, in the same vicinity, 
others of the tribe would be gathered in, and much good 
be accomplished. This had indeed been the design from 
the first, and Col. Sioddard, in his letter to the Indians 
met in council, Jan. 1735, informed them of it, hoping that 
the great meadow north of the Mountain, would be ob- 
tained for them. Gov. Belcher, too, proposed it to them 
at Deerfield, and pledged his inlluence in their behalf with 
the Legislature, at its fall session. This pledge he faith- 
fully I'edeemed, and sent to Mr. Sergeant the following re- 
sult : 

'■' Col. Stoddard, Maj. Pomroy and Mr. Justice Ingersole are 
appointed by the General Court, to weigh and consider all 
things and circumstances so as to accommodate my Children 
at Housatunnuk with land in the best manner. I agree with 
you that some English families — if such can be iound as you 
mention — be interspersed and settled among the Indian.s ; for 
to civilize, will be the readiest way to christianize them." 

Feb. 10, Maj. Pomeroj^ and Mr. Ingersoll arrived, and 
the next day met the Indians and read to them the Act of 
Legislature which appointed them its agents, stated that 
the sickness of his mother had prevented the attendance of 
Col. Stoddard, and assured th-m of the good intentions of 
the Government, adding — " Therefore tell us Avhat will 
suit, that we may inform the General Court, who will gladly 
do you good." 

They next asked (hem if they had a mind to live together ? 
and they answered, " Yes," and should be very thankful if 
they might be accommodated for that purpose. They were 
then asked whether the interval land above the mountain 



on, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 55 

would suit them ? and answered " Very well." And 
Avhether they were willing to jDart with their land in 
Ska-te-hook for an equivalent above? "Yes." Were they 
willing that lots should be reserved for the minister and 
teacher? " Yes, bij all means" The meeting then ad- 
journed until the 18th. 

The next thing to be done was to negotiate with the 
English and Dutch who had settled in W-nahk-ta-kook, or 
the Great Meadow, and obtain the whole for the Indians. 
Only two or three objected to the proposals of the commit- 
tee, and those agreed to take their offers into consideration. 

On the 18th the Indians again met, received the report 
of the committee, returned their thanks for what had been 
done, and only requested to be settled before the time to 
commence planting. The report was laid before the Leg- 
islature, and a Township six miles square, comprising W- 
nahk-tu-kook was given to the Indians, and the same com- 
mittee were directed to complete the business, reserving 
one-sixth of tlie land for Mr. Sergeant, one-sixth for Mr. 
Woodbridge, and " accommodating four other families with 
such a part as they should see fit." " It was at Mr. Ser- 
geant's request that these families were admitted, not for 
the comfort of their society only, but especially to civilize 
and anglicize the Indians, and to be a help to them in their 
secular affaii's. P'arailies well adapted to answer those ends 
were to be chosen, and by Col. Stoddard's approbation — 
who was a good judge — they were to be admitted." 

April 20th, the Committee again repaired to Ilousatonic ; 
but all was not ready, as they expected to find it, on the 
part of the Indians. Designing whites were constantly 
telling them that the government only wished to get them 
more completely under their control, that they might en- 
slave both them and their children ; and the poor Indian, 
ever tenacious of his liberty, knew not which to believe. 
When therefore the subject was opened at the council, a 
very interesting discussion took place. Lieut. Umpachenee 
first expressed to the committee his deep sense of his for- 
mer unhappy life, the miserable condition of his people, and 
the kindness of the English in what had been done, which 
all touched his heart most tenderly. He hoped that his 
eyes wei'e now open to see the excellency of the christian 
religion, regretted that he had not lived always under its 



56 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

influence ; hoped that his children would enjoy the blessings 
of which he now deplored his own want, and that the whole 
tribe would ere long be brought into the way in which the 
Housatonics had begun to walk, — yet he frankly owned 
that still there were difficulties which he could not satisfac- 
torily solve. Three or four things, in his eyes, looked dark. 
Why had they been neglected so long ? What was the se- 
cret spring which had so suddenly brought them into favor ? 
Why did Maj. Pomeroy ask them so many questions about 
the owners of certain lands, and the nature and origin of 
their titles to them ? And wki/ ? why, if the christian re- 
ligion was so true and good, what he est'jemed it to be, — 
why did many of its professors lead such vicious lives ? 

In reply, Col. Stoddard gave them an account of the de- 
sign of the planters of the JVl assachusetts Colony, particu- 
larly that clause in the Charter running thus : — " To win 
and to incite the natives of the country to the knowledge 
and obedience of the only true God and Savior of man- 
kind, and the christian faith, is in our Royal intention, and 
the adventurers free profession, the principal end of the 
plantation." He told them of the labors and success of the 
Mayhews, and of Eliot ; the readiness of the government 
to engage in the work whenever, and wherever the field 
was open, and of the promptness with which they had re- 
sponded to the wish of Capt. Konkapot, and he assured them 
that whatever others might say, their good, and that only, 
was the spring of all that had been done. As to the ques- 
tions of Maj. Pomeroy, they were asked merely to gratify 
personal curiosity in regard to their laws and customs. But 
to the third difficulty Col. Stoddard could only answer — that 
it was triie, and a shame to the depraved heart of man, but 
not to the rules of the Gospel which they professed, but 
disobeyed- 

The Lieutenant still asked anxiously if there was not dan- 
ger, since the land was in a great measure given them, that 
the children of the whites might look up6n their children as 
objects of charity, and inferior to themselves. Would their 
titles be such as to secure them from abuse ? and could the 
freedom of their children be made sure ? 

Col. S. replied that their titles would be the same as 
those of the whites ; that they would enjoy not only the 
protection of the same laws as they, but of laws made ex- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 57 

pressly for the good, of the Indian, and that if at any time 
dissatisfied, they would be at full liberty to remove. 

All objections were thus answered, the Indians expressed 
their great satisfaction, the Lieutenant declared himself so 
deeply impressed with the excellency of the christian faith 
that he could cheerfully die for it, and after some general 
religious conversation, the meeting was dismissed. 

But the difficulties remained with regard to the two or 
three Dutchmen who had settled above the mountain, and 
great trouble was submitted to, both by Mr. Sergeant and 
by the committee, before they could be induced to remove. 
Indeed, Van Valkenburgh did not yield until many months 
afterwards, when he was compelled to sell for want of funds. 
Some gentlemen then bought him out and gave the land 
to the Indians, an equivalent of unappropriated lands being 
given them below the mountain. 

Mondny, April 26, the committee again met the Indians, 
reported proceedings, showed them a plan of the township, 
inquired if they would make any alterations, and received 
their entire approbation, and warm expressions of gratitude. 

Early in May the Indians all inoved in, increased by two 
families. They engaged industriously in the cultivation of 
their land ; the school was large ; the missionaries were 
laborious, and all went on prosperously. 

Two of the English families selected, — those of Col. 
Ephraim Williams from Newton, and Josiah Jones from 
Weston, moved to Stockbridge, as it is now called, early in 
June of 1737. Ephraim Brown, (soon succeeded by his 
cnusin Dea. Samuel Brown of Watertown,) and Joseph 
Woodbridge, brother of the teacher, came still later. The 
Town was incorporated in 1739, and named; doubtless, 
from Stockbridge in England, which it strikingly resembles ; 
and the next year the lands were apportioned to the Indi- 
ans by Col. Stoddard and Col. Williams, to their entire sat- 
isfaction. 



58 STOCKBRIDGE. PAST AND PRESENT; 

SECTION XIII. 

VISIT TO BOSTON IN 1736. 

July 11, 1736, Gov. Belclier wrote to Mr. Sergeant — " I 
desire you to greet my Children at Housatonic in tlie kind- 
est manner from me, and let them know that 1 shall be 
heartily glad to see them at Boston, with Corstar, their 
Chief Sachem. I hope to see you with your people, &c." 

Accordingly Mr. Sergeant, and a number of the Stock- 
bridge Indians with as many more from the Hudson, visited 
Boston, and August 5th, waited upon the Governor and 
Council. The Lieutenant made a speech in the name of the 
others, returning thanks for favors received ; and in token 
of gratitude he presented to the government one mile of 
land on each side of the road from Housatonic to Westfield, 
— in all, 52 square miles. He also asked assistance from 
the Legislature in the erection of a church and school- 
house. 

The answer of Gov. Belcher was such as might be ex- 
pected from him, and he engaged to lay their request be- 
fore the general Court at its next session. A present of 
skins was then brought forward, and presented to the Gov- 
ernor. These he ordered to be sold, and the avails ex- 
pended in books for Mr. Sergeant's Library. 

August Gth, Mr. Sergeant and his Hock dined with the 
Governor and Council. They were courteously treated, 
and the Indians received presents of guns, blankets, &c. and 
returned home highly delighted with their new friends. 



SECTION XIV. 

CHURCH, SCnOOL-HOUSE, &C. 

The Governor kept faithfully the promise made to his 
children while in Boston, and upon his suggestion, the Gen- 
eral Assembly granted funds for the erection of a Church 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 59 . 

40 feet by 30, together with a suitable School-House ; and 
appointed Col. Stoddai'd, Mr. Sergeant, and Mr. Wood- 
bridge a Committee to see the whole accomplished. 

The Church was accordingly commenced on the green, a 
few rods north-east of the site of the present South Church. 
It appears to have had three doors ; one on each end, and 
one on the south side ; pews against the wall, and only two 
aisles ; it was of two stories, and, as evidence of its firm- 
ness, — the frame is still used in a barn several rods west 
of its original location. Little is remembered ot its con- 
struction, but votes to repair make that little intelligible. 
Owing to some unavoidable delays, it was not so far com- 
pleted as to admit worshipers before Thanksgiving Day, 
Nov. 29, 1739, when it was first opened for religious ser- 
vice. 

The Sabbath service consisted of a short prayer for the 
blessing of God, offered in both languages ; a portion of 
Scripture in both, with explanations and observations ; 
prayers also, both in Indian and l^nglish ; singing, in which 
the Indians excelled, and the Sermons, two each Sabbath 
to the English, and two to the Indians ; except that, during 
the winter, one sermon to the English was omitted. To all 
these labors of Mr. Sergeant he added, during the warm 
season, an hour of familiar instruction to the Indians. In 
his Indian readings he went through with such pai'ts of the 
Uible as enabled him to give a contiauous history of the 
work of creation, providence and redemption. In his dis- 
courses to the English, he gave a labored and learned par- 
aphrase of the Epistles, which Mr. Woodbridge regretted 
could not be published. 

The people of Boston presented to the Stockbridge 
Church a Conch Shell just brought in from the East Indies, 
at the sound of which the congregation was gathered for 
■worshij"). At the town meeting in 17 GO it Avas voted, to 
take up one contribution from the whites, and another from 
the Indians, to pay David Nau-nau-nee-ka-nuk for his ser- 
vices in sweeping the house and blowing the Conch ; and 
similar votes were passed in other years. It seems always 
to have been blown by an Indian, and perhaps it is from 
this circumstance, the report has gone abroad that it was of 
such immense size no oi'dinary man could lift it. It is also 
said to have " mysteriously disappeared, and not been heard 



, 60 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

from for many years." The Shell — less than a foot in 
length — but of sufficient " strength of lungs" to be heard 
from the center of the town to its circumference in every 
direction, was given, accompanied by a belt of wampum, to 
Capt, Josiah Jones, son of the missionary of thatname, when 
the Indians left for New Stockbridge. The wampum was 
carried off by Shays' Men when they plundered Stockbridge 
in 1787 ; but the Conch was inherited by the son of Capt. 
Jones who bore his name and became owner of the govern- 
ment grant. In 1834 it fell into the hands of a female 
member of the family residing upon the old " settle lot," 
where it is still to be seen and heard. But having thus 
been taken from its useful, yet dangerous employment, that 
of a farmer's dinner-horn, and df^po^ited among relics, it has 
in a measure disappeared. " Oh for a tongue in those lips 
of thine !" was the wish of the poet. " 'Twas done as soon 
as said ;" and though oftener seen than heard, as woman, 
and woman's should ever be, still, pleasant memories of the 
red man are constantly trembling upon its well worn lip 
for those who love the Indian Race. 

Dr. Francis Ayscough of London, Clerk of the Closet, 
and first Chaplain to the Prince of Wales, also presented 
the congregation with the Scriptures in two large folio vol- 
umes, elegantly gilt, and adorned with plates, and his book- 
binder took the liberty of adding a third volume in the same 
style, containing the Apocryphal books. Upon a fly-leaf 
of the Bibles was written " Presented by Dr. Ayscough to 
Rev. John Sergeant, Missionary to the Stockbridge Indi- 
ans in that vast wilderness called New England." 

The catholic spirit of Dr. Ayscough may be seen in his 
reply to Capt. Coram, who having recommended the mis- 
sion to his patronage, thought it his duty to say that Mr. 
Sergeant was a dissenter. 

" What if he be a dissenter ?" says Dr. A., " he is a good 
man, and that is every thing. It is time those distinctions 
should be laid aside, and not make them where there is 
none, and the partition wall thrown down ; that christians 
might love one another. I love all good men alike, let them 
be Churchmen or Dissenters." 

These Bibles were used in the church at New Stockbridge 
as well as here, and one incident at least of their history 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 61 

will come under a future head. They are still in the pos- 
session of the Indians. 

In 1761, the two end doors of the church were shut, win- 
dows being left ; and two new pews were built in the places 
thus left vacant. An aisle was cut through the center of 
the house, and the body-seats so altered as to make five in 
the place of four. Two pews were also built over the 
stairs, the house newly clapboarded in front, and new win- 
dows set in that — -the south — side. The windows on each 
end were newly glazed, and the old clapboards and glass 
were employed in repairs upon the north side. Besides 
this, the plastering and the seats in the gallery were mend- 
ed. In this state, the building was used until the close of 
the Revolutionary War, when what is now called " The 
old Meeting House " was erected. 

The first school-house in Stockbridge was built by the 
Indians on the east side of the Barrington road, a little 
north of Konkapot Brook, and, of course, near the dwell- 
ing of Capt. Konkapot. It was rude, and covered with 
bark. That built by Government stood opposite the house 
of Van Valkenburgh, but was afterwards, it appears, 
drawn out of the village to the west, and used by the 
Indians, after their separation, as a house of worship. To 
it was then removed the seat of Deacon Pau-quau-nau-peet, 
cut from a solid log. The road then ran directly toward 
the house built by Mr. John Sergeant, the son, and now 
owned by IVIr. T. Wells ; and the school-house was passed, 
on the right hand, immediately after crossing the bridge. 

After 1736, when the number of scholars had risen to 
forty, there was no indication of any great increase. In 
1749, the number of scholars was fifty -five, though only 
about forty were present at one time. The education 
received was the same as that received by white children 
in common schools at that day. A writer in the Boston 
Post Boy, under date of Sept. 3, 1739, says, "I have 
lately visited my friends in Stockbridge, and was well 
pleased to find the Indians so improved. I saw seve- 
ral young women sewing, but I was in special gratified to 
find them improved in learning. Several of them have 
made good proficiency, and can read in their Bibles, and 
some can write a good hand." 

After Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. John Sergeant, Jr., took 
4 



62 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

charge of the school for several years. The whites seem 
to have attended with the Indians until 1760, when a 
separate school was set up for them. 

— #. — 
SECTION XV. 

GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE MISSION FROM FEBRUART 1736, 
TO AUGUST 1739. 

The general prosperity of the Mission has been traced 
down to the winter of 1736, and at this place we will again 
take up the tliread of its history. It was at this time that 
Mr. Sergeant, having composed prayers in the Indian lan- 
guage, began, at their desire, to pray without an interpre- 
ter. He had also translated some prayers for them. 

When the Indians went to the woods this year at the 
sugar season, Mr. Sergeant and Mr. Woodbridge accom- 
panied them, and in that way greatly increased the oppor- 
tunities of doing good, and of gaining their language. 
Night and morning, Mr. Sergeant says, he led their devo- 
tions, and when the labors of the day were over, taught 
the Indians to sing. His bed consisted of a deerskin 
spread upon boughs of the spruce, and three blankets for 
his covering. Their diet was low, but cleanly, and well 
cooked by the wives of Konkapot and Umpachenee. — 
Their di-ink was cold water. Mr. Sergeant spent a part 
of the time at W-nahk-tu-kook, and a part at Ska-te-hook ; 
changing places with Mr. Woodbridge. 

After the removal of the Indians to Stockbridge in 1736, 
Mr. Woodbridge boarded with Capt. Konkapot until No- 
vember, when he was married to Miss Abigail Day of 
West Springfield, and brought her to Stockbridge. TTiey 
built first near the corner opposite the house of Mr. Steph- 
en W. Jones, but not long afterwards on the site occupied 
by Mr. Samuel Goodrich. Mr. Sergeant still boarded in 
Barrington until Mr. Woodbridge had a shelter of his own, 
and then shared it with him. 

June 12th, a messenger came from the Hudson to call 
the Stockbridge Indians to a council, one of their tribe hav- 
ing been guilty of a murder. Capt. Konkapot, and Lieut. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 63 

Umpachenee, while there, devoted their time almost wholly 
to the proclamation of the gospel, and a blessing seemed 
to attend their labors. None objected, and several engaged 
to remove with their families to Stockbridge. 

June 27, having baptized a child, Mr. Sergeant observes 
in his journal, " the number of resident Indians is now 
ninety, and the number of baptized persons fifty-two." 

During the spring of 1737, the Indians returned regu- 
larly from the sugar camp to spend the Sabbath at home. 
]Mi-. Sergeant about this time translated a marriage cere- 
mony into the Indian language, and Nau-ku-che-wat and 
Wau-woo-ne-meen were published according to English 
law, and married in christian form. 

Generally the Indians had become temperate, and any 
excess in individuals was deplored by the community. — 
But they had a sore trial to endure continually. Van 
Valkenburg not only refused to sell the farm which Capt. 
Konkapot had given him, but, still more ungrateful, kept 
a store of rum on hand which he sold and gave away to all 
who would drink. At what time he was compelled by 
poverty to accept the offer of the friends of the Indian, is 
not known ; but he had gone at the time the correspondent 
of the Boston Post Boy visited Stockbridge ; and both 
missionary and church members possessed a large share of 
christian grace if they did not rejoice over the fall of their 
enemy. 

August 7th, 1737, Mr. Sergeant preached without an 
interpreter, and in course of time learned to speak their 
language, the Indians thought, more perfectly than a na- 
tive. But this was a difficult task. He studied diligently 
nearly two years before he could pray in the Indian tongue, 
and then for two years longer he was obliged to keep an 
interpreter two days in the week to perfect his Indian ser- 
mons. 

August 21st, Yokun, probably the chief of that name, 
his wife, and three children were baptized ; and Septem- 
ber 14th, Pmau-pau-soo also, son of Um-pau-mut, Chief of 
an island in the Hudson, Nom-shoos, a Shawanoo, and Uk- 
hih-nau-we-qun, another youth ; having been carefully in- 
structed previous to their reception of the rite. 

And here it may be remarked that Mr. Sergeant admit- 
ted members upon the Stoddardean, or " Half way Cove- 



64 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT : 

nant plan, the common practice of churches at that day, 
and perhaps all who were baptized upon their own faith 
had not experienced a change of heart. They had, they 
believed, set their faces Zionward, and were anxious to re- 
ceive in their foreheads the seal of the covenant, that every 
known duty might be performed, and that they might be 
recognized as enlisted soldiers of the cross. This fact, to- 
gether with the sore temptations to that sin which so easily 
besets those once its victims, that the Indian has ever been 
called to endure from unprincipled whites, should not be 
forgotten when we read of suspensions and excommunica- 
tions for intemperance. Besides, the Indians had been 
trained to intemperance from generation to generation, 
with all the zeal which love of gold could inspire, until 
this second nature had completely overpowered the first, 
and the relish for strong drink was scarcely less than that 
for food. Never, surely, should one who must own a " pale 
face " speak of the Indian as the guilty party in this mat- 
ter. Woe to the dry tree when the Lord visits for iniquity. 
"Which is worse — to do our own sinning, and bear the con- 
sequences ourselves, — or to draw the unwary into the snare, 
and while we seek to escape all ill, make sure Ms temporal 
and eternal doom ? 

In 1738 the Indians received a present from the Society 
of £300, which was laid out for them from time to time as 
they needed, the first payment being made in agricultural 
implements. 

June 19th, of the same year, the Sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper was administered for the first time. Eleven 
Indian communicants were present, and, says Mj\ S., " at- 
tended the ordinance with as much seriousness, and appar- 
ent devotion, as ever I observed in any people upon any 
occasion whatever." 

In September, 1738, the church numbered fourteen 
members, and nearly fifty had been baptized. " The 
children," an English visitor remarks, were " in general as 
mannerly as the whites of most country towns." Several 
Indians had built houses in the English style ; their farms 
were well fenced, and in a measure stocked, and many of 
of the owners were diligent and industrious in business." 
The marriage of Mr. Sergeant, August 16th, 1739, to Miss 
Abigail Williams, daughter of Col. Ephraim Williams, was 



OK, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. C5 

particularly gratifying to his people. Ninety Indians at- 
tended the wedding, and demeaned themselves with great 
gravity and propriety. 

This was the year in which the church was opened ; and 
another important movement was made about the same 
time. The Indians, at the suggestion of the missionaries, 
laid a penalty of £40, York money, upon any person who 
should bring rum into Stockbridge for sale ; and Inn-keep- 
ers in the vicinity were remonstrated with upon the sin of 
selling spirits to Indians inclined to excessive drinking. 
But this the evil disposed endeavored to turn to the harm 
of the poor Indians, telling them the missionaries infringed 
upon their liberties, that they were used worse than dogs 
and slaves, and would soon be reduced openly to bondage. 
Their efforts succeeded in leading some to gi'eat excesses, 
by way of testing the length of their chain, and New 
Year's Day being at hand. Mi-. S. was filled with anxiety, 
knowing that every temptation would be spread before 
them at that time which example, precept, and false lib- 
erality could frame. December 30th, he preached as usual, 
and proposed to hold religious services on Tuesday, Janu- 
ary 1st, hoping to draw some from the frolick which he ex- 
pected was in contemplation, in imitation of the Dutch. 
The day arrived, an abundance of rum was brought into 
town, but the Indians were universally in their places at 
church, and no drinking was mdulged in. 

In January, 1747, Mr. Sergeant says, " The Indian 
youth learn English well ; most of them understand a good 
deal of it, and some speak it freely and correctly." The 
natives then owned seventeen English houses, fifteen of 
which had been built by themselves, and at their own cost, 
and some of them were comfortably furnished ; and this 
notwithstanding the great difficulty in procuring materials. 
The number of settled families was fifty, and the greater 
part of them had been baptized. Thirty-five were mem- 
bers of the church, eight or nine had died from the com- 
munion, " with a good christian temper and a well ground- 
ed hope," and others, not in communion, had appeared to 
die in the faith. Five or six were at that time temporarily 
suspended ; but Mr. S. hoped for their recovery. After 
his last sickness commenced, Mr. Sergeant preached once, 
deeply deploring the stupidity of his church ; and no revi- 



.66 STOCKBKIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

val seems to have been enjoyed from 1742 and 3, until 
after his death. At the time of that event, the number of 
Indians was two hundred and eighteen ; one hundred and 
eighty-two had been baptized, and the church contained 
forty-two native communicants, viz : eighteen males and 
twenty-four females : one hundred and twenty-nine of the 
baptized persons were still living. The two hundred and 
eighteen individuals constituted fifty-three families, and 
twenty of these owned English houses, and the English 
style was in some measure extended to out-buildings. 



SECTION XVI. 

CUT-LABORS OF MR. SERGEANT. 

The labors of Mr. Sergeant in other places, are so con- 
nected with the history of Stockbridge that they may not 
be omitted. 

September 11th, he preached by appointment at Kauna- 
meek, six miles from New Lebanon. The Indians there 
had invited their neighbors, and about thirty adults attend- 
ed. The Stockbridges who accompanied Mr. Sergeant on 
this visit, were faitliful in their mission, and favorable re- 
sults soon followed. Au-nau-wau-neekh-heek, the Chief, 
brought his only child, a daughter, to be educated soon 
after, came repeatedly himself, and, with his child, was 
baptized in January, 1738. 

Wau-taun-ku-meet removed to Stockbridge to receive 
instruction soon after the visit of Mr. S., and was baptized, 
together with his two children, in the spring of 1738. 

In 1739, the out-labors of Mr. Sergeant were very much 
increased. The Indians from the river wished for the 
Gospel, and others came to hear, or to ask for a visit from 
the missionary. Danbury, Ct., and the Highlands, are 
particularly mentioned as the residences of applicants, and 
July 1st, seventeen strangers were present from Wukh- 
quau-te-nauk, a place in Connecticut, twenty-eight miles 
below Stockbridge, to hear the message from God. 

But a more full account must be given of a mission un- 
dertaken by ]Mr. Sergeant and some of his people at their 



OB, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 67 

own expense in May and June of 1741. It was to the 
Shawanoos on the Susquehannah, and to the Delawares, 
the distance of the first from Stockbridge being two hun- 
dred and twenty miles. The Message sent to their young- 
er brother at Susquehannah by the Stockbridges, is beauti- 
ful, and their answer truly characteristic ; both worthy to 
be given entire. 

[from stockbridge.] 

" Brother, who have seen so many mornings here at Mukh- 
hau-wan-meek, you live in friendship with our Grandfather; 
our League reaches as far as the great Island, and the River 
Au-wuk-saun tu-guh. The reason of my coming is, because 
I dislike our way of living; our Father above does not ap- 
prove of it ; we weary out his Patience. 

" You alwaj's stand in the presence of our Father, and he 
would have his children turn about to him. I am come to 
turn you to him. If you pity your body and soul you will 
receive the Christian Religion. It is always the privilege of an 
elder brother to teach his younger brother if he knows any- 
thing that is good. If his brother be lost, he will tell him — 
'^This is the way to life^ 

" The enlightening of the eyes is in the christian religion. 
You will sometime come to know that we have been lost — 
You will see what it is to live in heathenism it your eyes are 
opened. In the end of the world you will see a good prepared 
if you embrace the christian religion in truth ; and if you be- 
lieve it not, you will see a punishment provided. Formerly 
our forefathers used to send messages one to another ; but 
their speeches were nothing. They were wont in the conclu- 
sion of their speeches to say: 'now I see the sun at noon, 
you shall always see clearly; you shall see nothing amiss.' 
But these things which they spake in darkness were nothing. 
The only true light which enlightens the eyes is the Christian 
Religion. 

" Brother, this is our Teacher; we have brought him with 
us, thinking perhaps he may open your eyes a little that you 
may see the way to Eternal Life. We wish you would hear 
him. He is our Elder Brother This Me.'ssage your Brother 
at Mau he-kun sends you : he likes the Christian Religion." 

When this message had been delivered to the Shawa- 
noos, they retired for a little time, and on returning pre- 
sented the following reply : 

"It is true we have one Father above, and we are always in 
his presence. The Indians have one way of honoring and 
pleasing him, and the White people have another : both are 
acceptable to him. I am glad to hear from my Brother, and 



68 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

to cultivate friendship with him. He shall always find me 
here if he has any message to send ; but Christianity need not 
be a bond of union between us. As for your Teacher, I can- 
not understand him. If I could understand him, it might be 
well to hear him ; but he speaks in an unknown tongue.'^ 

Evidently their minds were fixed ; yet Mr. Sergeant 
sought still farther to reason with them. They listened 
for a time, but were too deeply prejudiced both by the 
teachings of papists, and by the lives of nominal christians, 
to open their minds to conviction, and he left them dis- 
couraged. 

Better success awaited him at Delaware. The Indians 
in that region understood the Muh-he-ka-neew language, 
and seemed desirous of instruction ; and Mr. Sergeant en- 
gaged some gentlemen — if the thing was found to be prac- 
ticable — to obtain lands for them where they might live 
contiguously, in which case he hoped that a mission among 
them might, by the blessing of God, yield much fruit. 

Before leaving home, Mr. Sergeant had sent to Mr. 
Pemberton at New York, for the Society in Scotland, a 
history of the progress made by the Gospel among the In- 
dians ; and as Mr. Pemberton the next year selected Mr. 
Brainard to labor as missionary among the Delawares, we 
may perhaps find the sequel of the mission from Stock- 
bridge in the life of that devoted man. (Also under Ap- 
pendix D.) 

The Nimham family, afterwards distinguished for their 
virtues, came to Stockbridge from the region last visited ; 
and it was about the time of this mission that the Nanti- 
coke Indians, " from the south of Stockbridge," joined the 
settlement. 

The way not being open for Brainard to commence his 
labors among the Delawares, he was sent in the spring of 
1743 to Kaunameek. He came to Stockbi'idge on his way, 
and took from here an interpreter, for whom he obtained 
the commission of teacher to the youth of his flock. He 
also studied the language with Mr. Sergeant afterwards, 
which brought him frequently to Stockbridge. After one 
year, however, he persuaded his flock to remove to this 
place, and entered upon his labors at the south, among the 
Delawares. 

Some remains of the little hut built by Brainaxd at 



OB, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 69 

Kaunameek are still to be seen, and a pine is growing up 
in the center of what was once his only room. The bridge 
near by, called " Brainard's Bridge," was named for one 
in no way connected with the missionary ; but it is, to his 
far greater honor, almost universally ascribed to him, as if 
the world had never produced more than one Brainard. 



SECTION xvir. 

HOLLIS SCHOOL. 

In 1732, Rev. Isaac Hollis, of London, nephew to 
Thomas Hollis Esq., patron of Harvard College, urged 
Dr. Colman of Boston to receive from him £20 sterling 
per annum forever, to be expended upon a fourth mis- 
sionary in New England. But so little was the good 
which had resulted from the labors of those already in the 
field, that Dr. Colman declined the offer, and advised Mr. 
Hollis to expend the sum in New Jersey ; a suggestion 
with which he did not comply. In 1735, however. Dr. 
Colman become so confident of the success of the Housa- 
tonic mission, that he wrote to accept the offer, and was 
answered that Mr. Hollis would support entirely twenty 
Stockbridge Indians. The expense was calculated, and 
found to be £500 a year ; and presuming that this was 
more than Mr. Hollis had anticipated. Dr. Colman wrote 
to him for further orders, and received another promise to 
support twelve, at a cost of £25 each, New England cur- 
rency. The funds for the first year were sent in the sprmg 
of 1737 ; but the house of Mr. Woodbridge was too small 
for their accommodation, and Mr. Sergeant delayed open- 
ing the school until he had built, which he did that sum- 
mer. His house-keeper seems to have been Ween-kees- 
quoh. 

January 11th, 1738, the twelve boys were received, and 
Mr. Sergeant taught them himself for one year. But find- 
ing the labor too great, he afterwards prevailed upon sev- 
eral of the boys to go from Stockbridge, and reside with 
gentlemen who would devote attention to their improve- 
4.* 



70 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT} 

ment. Those who would not consent to leave home, board- 
ed with their parents and attended the school of Mr. Wood- 
bridge, receiving only their clothing from the bounty of 
Mr. HoUis. The interpreter employed by Mr. Brainard 
was one of those boarded out, and was taught by Dr. S. 
"Williams of Longmeadow. His name was John Wau- 
waum-pe-quun-naunt. 

In 1741, Mr. Sergeant ventured to propose the estab- 
lishment of a boarding school — for boys at first, but after- 
wards to be extended to girls. Samuel Holden Esq. of 
London, had presented £100 to the mission soon after the 
donations of Mr. Mollis commenced, and an attempt had 
been made to employ it in the education of girls in fami- 
lies abroad ; but the girls were discontented, and returned. 
Since that time a stronger desire for instruction had over- 
come the natural feelings, and the girls were beggmg for a 
new trial, offering to support themselves by their own la- 
bor ; and two had been sent to Northampton for that pur- 
pose. Mr. Holden's charities had continued until his 
death, and his widow and daughters inherited, with his 
gold, his interest in the Muh-he-ke-neew, and Mr. Ser- 
geant believed this plan to be in accordance with the de- 
sires of Mr. Hollis. He thought too, that the minds of 
the ■parents were prepared to enter into the plan free from 
the suspicions of bondage which had so long enchained 
them. 

Mr. Hollis did engage warmly in the enterprise, and 
ordered twelve boys to be taken on his account ; and the 
Indians were delighted with it. Dr. Colman declining to 
draw up a definite plan, Mr. Sergeant proposed the union 
of a farm and school, with two teachers ; the farm to con- 
sist of two hundred acres, taken from the unappropriated 
lands, of which the Indians were the proprietors. The 
pupils were to be between the ages of ten and twenty ; 
and the boys were here to be trained to farming, and the 
girls to housekeeping ; in short, it was to be a male and 
female manual labor school. 

Col. John Stoddard, Col. Eleazer Porter, Maj. Israel 
Williams, and Oliver Partridge Esqs., and Rev. Jonathan 
Edwards, and Rev. Dr. Williams, were chosen as trustees 
to receive and disburse the funds which might be collected. 
Dr. Colman took great pains to circulate copies of the 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 71 

plan, — printing, and sending them to the Presidents of the 
colleges, to Dr. Watts, Dr. Wilson, and other clergymen 
in England, as well as to Madam Holden, Capt. Coram, 
&c. Also to Governor Shirley, Lieut. Governor Phipps, 
to the governors and ministers in Connecticut, and to vari- 
ous persons holding stations of influence in Massachusetts. 
Mr. Sergeant thought that £200 would be needed at first, 
but hoped that the school would eventually support itself. 

The English inhabitants of Stockbridge raised a sub- 
scription on Thanksgiving Day of £115 lOs, the number 
of subscribers being ten ; eight residents and two strangers. 
The names of the residents, besides the six missionaries, 
must be taken from those of David Pixley from Westfield, 
John Willard from Canaan, formerly of Westfield, John 
Taylor from West Springfield, and Col. E. Williams jun. 
Of the liberality of Stockbridge people Mr. Hopkins re- 
marks — "It must be granted that they discovered a very 
noble and generous spirit. Had the people through the 
country given one-tenth part so much, in proportion to 
their number and abilities, that school, and another for 
females, might have been set up, and well supported. 
And had we in general, in this land, such just and affecting 
views of the deplorable state of the Indians as the people 
at Stockbridge have, whose eyes affect their hearts, I doubt 
not but many thousands would have cheerfully given 
to forward that noble and pious design — the best, I think, 
that has ever been projected." The Indians too, were 
willing, not only to give the land, and that which was good, 
but also to aid in the erection of the building. 

But in the country at large, little was done. A few 
were much engaged, and after the great efforts of Dr. Col- 
man had been put forth, fuur names were obtained upon 
the subscription list, never, however, honored by payments ! 
Doubtless friends sent in their contributions, but their 
patience was almost exhausted by the backwardness of 
those to whom they applied, and Mr. HoUis was justly as- 
tonished that " a people of such a name for religion " 
should be so backward to promote it at their own doors. 
But when we look across the sea. the prospect brightens, 
and we discover a just cause for whatever of toryism waa 
found in Stockbridge in the days of the Revolution. 

The Corporation expressed a readiness to furnish aid to 



72 STOCKBEIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

the enterprise ; Mr. Hollis insisted once and again that his 
twelve boys, taken from heathen families, should receive 
an education under the care of the mission ; elsewhere, if 
the exposed state of Stockbridge durmg the war then rag- 
ing prevented their being located here. Mrs. Holden gave 
£100, and Dr. Watts took up a collection among a few 
friends, and sent over £70. 

But Capt. Coram took hold of the work like a true 
soldier, though he was too easily brow-beaten for a time. 
He had served in New England, and knew of what he 
affirmed. The printed proposal of Mr. Sergeant, together 
with Dr. Colman's remarks, he prepared to be circulated as 
a subscription paper, and presented to those of great wealth 
and influence with whom he was conversant. Many com- 
mended the effort, and only waited to see other names at 
the head, before they subscribed largely. This promise 
was very distinctly made by one lady and gentleman of 
great means, and Capt. Coram resolved to obtain a name 
at the head with which all would gladly unite. Accord- 
ingly he drew up a petition to the Prince of "Wales, and 
presented it through Dr. Ayscough, the donor, soon after 
this, of the Bible. His Royal Highness cheerfully set 
down his name, and paid twenty guineas. Next it was 
presented to the Duke of Cumberland, brother to the 
Prince, with a request for ten guineas. But he answered 
that it would be shameful to give so small a sum for so 
good a purpose, and subscribed twenty. The Lord Chan- 
cellor, the Duke of Dorset, and the Lord Gower, gave 
each five guineas. And now Capt. Coram thought that 
surely the lady and gentleman who had promised so fairly 
would be ready to add their names. But upon presenting 
the paper to them again, he was so rudely reproached and 
repulsed — for the catholic spirit he had manifested, it would 
seem — that he sat down in despair. To increase his cha- 
grin, the kind and sympathetic reply of Mr. Sergeant to 
his letter, a letter of thanks to Dr. Ayscough, and another 
which he wrote to them both, did not reach him, and he 
felt more bitterly than was true the ingrate character of 
the world. But all being at length explained on the part 
of the Stockbridge people, the Captain seemed to gird him- 
self anew, as will soon appear. 

The feelings of Mr. Hollis when be found that the war 



OR, hecords of an old mssiON station. 73 

was delaying his charities, should be given in his own words. 
" If my money," he says, " lie by till the war ends, it may 
be a long time indeed. Do you see the least prospect in 
the world of it ? Would you not wish to see the Redeem- 
er's work carried on while you live ? I am not willing to 
have my money of £350, your currency, lying useless till 
the war is ended. I do herewith appoint that there be, as 
soon as possible, twelve more heathen boys taken on my 
account, to be entii'ely provided for with lodging and main- 
tenance, to be instructed in the christian doctrine. And 
after I know of this order being complied with, I design to 
make a large remittance for farther carrying on the work. 
January 27, 1747." 

Again Dr. Colman wrote, August 25, 1747, four days 
before his own death, transcribing another letter of the 
like import, and adding that he had received a call from 
Mr. Wallis of Boston, nephew of Capt. Coram, who read 
to him a most encouraging letter from his uncle respecting 
his farther progress at Court, a new school, (probably the 
girls school,) and also respecting farther benefits to Stock- 
bridge, and the general cause of education here. If Mr. 
Sergeant ever received a copy of the letter from Capt. 
Coram, it was lost, and what he had accomplished is not 
now known. 

Thus pressed by Mr. Hollis, IVIi*. Sergeant received of 
the Indians a farm which lay about a mile west of the 
church, and the school-house was erected south of the house 
now occupied by Mr. Thomas Wells, It was thirty-six 
feet by thirty-eight, had three fire-rooms on one floor, and 
two rooms without fire, and a good cellar. To increase his 
means, which were not yet sufficient, Mr. Sergeant wrote 
to some clergymen in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and 
on Fast Day about £12 was collected in the second parish 
in Goshen, and in Lebanon, Connecticut, £49, Is. was 
taken up. About the same time — as is believed — Mr. 
Elery, of Hartford, died, leaving £120 " to the Indians of 
Stockbridge." 

By the 13th of March, 1748, Mr. Sergeant had selected 
the twelve boys, and obtained for them board and instruc- 
tion with Capt. Martin Kellog of Newington, Connecticut, 
where they made good progress for a year. Mr. Hollis 
desired Capt. K. to pray with the boys night and morning, 



74 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

and before and after meals, and to endeavor to instill into 
their minds principles of piety. During the winter, at 
Mr. Sergeant's request, Capt. K. brought them to Stock- 
bridge for examination, and soon afterward took a house 
here, where he instructed them until the boarding-school- 
house was ready for use. Mr. S. designed to have gone 
with him during the next summer, into New York, in the 
hope of prevailing upon the Indians of the Six Nations to 
send their cliildren to the school, but death prevented the 
accomplishment of farther plans of usefulness. An invi- 
tation was, however, accepted by the Mohawks and Onei- 
das, and in 1750, the number of Mohawks who resided 
here — parents and children — was not far from ninety, and 
among them was the noted Chief, Hendrick. Hendrick 
was born in 1680, and generally resided at the Upper 
Castle on the Mohawk. His father was a Mohegan, called 
by his people, "The "Wolf." His sister, Molly Brant, 
became the wife of Sir William Johnson ; and it was while 
serving the British, under the command of that officer, in 
1755, that the noble chieftain fell. Nicholas also, another 
Indian of distinction, came at that time to reside in Stock- 
bridge. Mr. Woodbridge obtained the assistance of Won- 
wan-on-pe-quun-na-nut, and received into his school all the 
Housatonic youth, leaving the boarding-school to provide 
alone for the heathen. The Housatonics generously offered 
land to the Mohawks, on condition that they would remove 
as a body to Stockbridge ; and the Commissioners from 
Massachusetts who attended the great Council in Albany 
in June, 1751, were ordered to pass through Stockbridge, 
and confer upon the subject with those already here. But 
Capt. K. was not all that was desired in such a capacity ; 
and before the Commissioners had arrived, various discour- 
agements had damped the zeal of the stranger Indians, 
and Hendrick, and many others had left. Mr. Edwards 
was then here, though not yet settled, and he accompanied 
the Conamissioners to Albany. The Indians agreed to 
return, with more of their Chiefs, and hold a council in 
the autumn. This they did, and deliberated from Tues- 
day, August 13th, to the 22d. It was agreed that a com- 
petant teacher should be provided, and that the Mohawks 
should remove to Stockbridge, and place their children 
under his instruction. Mr. Gideon Hawley was selected, 



OR, EECOKDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 75 

and came in February. Many Mohawks, Oneidas and 
Tuscaroras came ; at one time a company of 20 ; 60 schol- 
ars were here in January ; Joshua Paine, Esq., wrote to 
Gov. Pepperell for some plan for a girl's school, and Mr. 
H. was well liked. But those who had the direction of af- 
fairs were at a distance, both from each other and from Stock- 
bridge, and consequently the design, however good in its 
plan, failed in its operation. The Indians again grew dis- 
satisfied, and a Council at length called upon them all to 
return. Mr. H., together with Mr. Woodbridge and Mr. 
and Mrs. Ashley, his interpreters, soon visited the Oneidas 
in their own country, and the Commissioners decided to 
attempt missions among the various tribes on their own 
lands, and the school was abandoned. In 1754, Mr. Hol- 
lis placed his part of the funds at the disposal of Mr. Ed- 
wards, and a few children were left with him, and sent, it 
appears, to Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, at 
the opening of the war. We hear no more of them after 
1756. A few Housatonics completed their studies at Dart- 
mouth, among them Peter Po-qua-no-peet, or " Sir Peter," 
and John Konkapot. All town offices soon came to be 
shared with the Indians. As examples, — King Benjamin 
and Johannes Mthoksin, Select Men, and Hendrick Woh- 
pon-seet. Constable and Tythingman ; Daniel Nimham and 
David Nau-nau-nee-ka-nut in other offices in 1760. In 
1761, Johannes Mthoksin and Capt. Jacob Cheek-son-kun, 
Select Men, Frederic Poh-pon-seet Constable, Peter Nau- 
ne-wau-nau-koot, Tythingman, and King Benjamin Kau- 
ke-we-nau-naunt, and Capt. Cheek-son-kun on the commit- 
tee for seating the Church. 

In 1763, King Benjamin and Johannes Mthoksin, Select 
Men, John Nau-naum-pe-tonk, Constable, Robert Naun- 
kau-wah Surveyor of Highways. 

1765. Joseph Quinequaunt Constable, Solomon "Wa- 
haun-wun-wan-meet, and John Nau-naum-pe-tonk, Select 
Men, Ephraim Paumk-kaun-hun Constable, J. Mthoksin 
Surveyor, — D. Nau-nau-nee-ke-nuk and Abraham Nau- 
num-pe-tonk in other offices, &c. (See Appendix E.) 

Passing on to the times of the Revolutionary struggle — 
1774, Select Men, Timothy Edwards, Esq., Elisha Brown, 
Esq., and Thomas AVilliams, white ; and J. Mthoksin and 
Capt. Solomon Wa-haun-wun-wan-meet, Indian. Jehoia- 
chim Nau-naum-pe-tonk Constable. 



76 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

1775. Jelioiachim Nau-naun-ne-kuk Constable, J. Mthok- 
sin Tythingman. 1776, J. Mthoksin Assessor and Collect- 
or of Highways. 

1777. J. Mthoksin and Joseph Sau-ques-quot Select 
Men, John Scheebuck Constable, Jehoiachim Nau-num- 
pe-tox Tythingman. 

1778. Select Men the same as in 1777. 1779, J. 
Kau-num-pe-tonk Select Man, and Abraham Konkapot, 
oldest son of the Captain, Constable. 

Many now living will remember Abraham in the days 
of his humiliation, when the instructions of his excellent 
father had been drowned in the intoxicating bowl. But 
Abraham had a brighter day once, and he must be remem- 
bered as a man. 



SECTION XVIII. 

PRIVATE LIFE OF MR. AND MRS. SERGEANT, 

Rev. John Sergeant was born in Newark, New Jersey, 
in 1710. His father died while he was yet very young, 
and he was educated by his step-father. Col. John Cooper. 
He entered Yale College in 1725, received his first degree 
in 1729, and his second in 1732, having, previous to the 
last date, been chosen to the office of Tutor. In these sit- 
uations he obtained the esteem of his fellow students, his 
teachers, and his pupils, for his amiable and upright de- 
portment, and stood well as a scholar. Being fitted for the 
ministry, his mind turned with strong yearnings toward the 
heathen, and it was his daily prayer that he might be em- 
ployed as a missionary among them. The answer to these 
prayers, and the results which attended his labors, we have 
seen ; a few particulars relating to the private life of Mr. 
Sergeant and his family, will complete the history. 

And first — they suffered many privations. The salary 
of Mr. Sergeant, at first £100, New England currency, was 
raised at the time of his ordination, to £150 — £1, 7s. 6d. 
being equal to an ounce of silver. But after six years, it 
was found that owing to depreciation it was constantly less- 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 77 

ening, and it was again raised to £200. The last year of 
his lite he received £300, £2, 17s. 9d being then but equal 
to an ounce of silver. But all the necessaries of life 
must be procured at great expense ; and this inconvenience 
to him increased ; — wheat, for instance, rising from eight 
to forty shillings, and luxuries and many conveniences, 
must be quite dispensed with. When he built the first 
time, he was obliged to incur debts, and to call both upon 
the Commissioners and upon the Legislature for aid. This 
was the front part of the house now occupied by Mr. 
Henry J. Carter. The building of the house on the Hill 
is not mentioned in History, but when Mr. Sergeant died, 
a part of the lot set off to him by Government, had been 
sold, and his debts were over £700, New England curren- 
cy, probably owing to expenses incurred at that time. The 
change of location was on account of fever and ague. The 
large portion given to the first settlers of Stockbridge is 
sometimes allowed to divest them of the character of mis- 
sionaries, but wild land was one thing, and a farm near 
Stockbridge village at the present day, q^dte another. One 
fourth of West Springfield, we are told, was exchanged by 
its white owner for a rudely constructed wheel-barrow ; a 
good illustration of the first value of land. The Stock- 
bridge Missionaries, it is true, had large farms given them, 
but they themselves were to render those farms valuable. 
They were missionaries, who, after the first gift, were to 
support themselves by manual labor. 

Secondly, Mr. Sergeant lost the use of his left hand in 
his boyhood, and could not bring his farm under culture 
by his own exertions ; but he labored, perhajis more abun- 
dantly, than they all. He prepared, when able to preach 
in the Indian language, four sermons each week during the 
summer, and three during the winter, writing the Indian 
sermons first in English, and then in Indian, besides study- 
ing carefully all his Scrijjture readings. 

Then he must be not only the Father of his people, but 
their Library and Printing Px'ess. Their language, too, 
the reader will have perceived, was very difficult of pro- 
nunciation, and so much speaking wore constantly upon 
his strength, He had, moreover, little aid from ministe- 
rial brethren. It is amusing now to sit in our comfortable 
homes, and as we look out upon the scenery around, and 



'J'8 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

hear the merry whistle of the cars, to read the directions 
published in 1750 for finding the location of Stockbridge 
on a Map, the name not having then been entered. Yet 
it was anything but amusing to live here one hundred years 
ago, with " a wilderness of forty miles on the east, a wood 
of twenty on the west, and that great and terrible wilder- 
ness on the north of several hundred miles in extent, which 
reached to Canada." 

Thirdly, the constant efforts of interested persons to 
sour and alarm the minds of the Indians, and the fall now 
and then of one for whom he had entertained delightful 
hopes, cost Mr. Sergeant anxious and sleepless nights, and 
caused him to spend days in secret fasting and prayer. He 
was charged too, with heresy, which, had he not been of a 
forgiving spirit, would have drawn him into angry contro- 
versy. In the first French war, soldiers were stationed 
here, and the house of Mr. Sergeant was garrisoned ; and 
we may suppose he was often unfitted by surrounding cir- 
cumstances, for the close appUcation which his pastoral 
duties required. 

But if he had trials, he had also blessings. In his wife 
he seemed very happy, and she is highly spoken of by his 
biographer. He had many friends in this country, and 
unseen friends in Great Britain, who not only ministered 
to the necessities of his body but often wrote to comfort 
and refresh his spirit under his toils ; and he had a cove- 
nant-keeping God and Father who nourished and cher- 
ished him with gracious influences from above, and gave 
him many to be " seals of his ministry, and stars in the 
crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus." 

The fatal disease of Mr. Sergeant was a nervous fever, 
attended with canker, and lasted twenty days. The In- 
dians, of their own accord, assembled universally in the 
church, and spent a day in fasting and prayer on his be- 
half; and when he calmly breathed his spirit into the hands 
of his Savior, they sincerely mourned their loss. He died 
July 27, 1749, at the age of thirty-nine. 

The following lines inscribed upon the stone which cov- 
ers his grave, were composed by one of the Indians : 

" Where is that pleasing form ? I ask ; thou cans t not show : 
He's not within, false stone there's nought but death below. 
And where's that pious soul, that thinking, conscious mind? 
Wilt thou pretend, vain cypher, that's with thee enshrined "* 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 79 

Alas, my friends, not here with thee that I can find ; 
Here's not a Sergeant's body, or a Sergeant's mind. 
I'll seek him hence, for all's alike deception here, 
I'll go to heaven, and I shall find my Sergeant there." 

Mr. Sergeant left three children — Electa, the first white 
child born in Stockbridge, though not the first child of 
white Stockbridge parents ; born 1740, or '41 ; Erastus, 
and John, an infant. 

Electa married Col. Mark Hopkins, of Great Barring- 
ton, brother of the divine of that name, but died an inhab- 
itant of Stockbridge, at the house of her son, Mr. Archi- 
bald Hopkins, July 11, 1798, at the age of fifty-eight. 

Col. Hopkins died at White Plains two days previous 
to the battle fought there, viz., October 26, 1776, at the 
age of thirty-seven. 

Erastus will be mentioned among the Physicians of 
Stockbridge, of whom he was the first. 

John was afterwards Missionary to the Indians in New 
Stockbridge, New York. He died September 8, 1824, 
aged seventy-seven. 

Mrs. Sergeant married Gen. Joseph Dwight, in 1752, 
and continued in the house built by her husband until after 
the close of the second French war, when they removed 
to Barrington. In 1765, her husband died, and she re- 
turned, not long afterward, to reside with Dr. Sergeant, in 
her old home, where she died, February 15, 1791, aged 
sixty-nine. She left five children ; the three already, 
named, and two by the name of Dwight, viz., Pamela, 
afterwards Mrs. Judge Sedgwick, who died September 20, 
1807, aged fifty-four, and Henry W., who died also in 
Stockbridge, September 15, 1804, aged forty-seven. 

SECTION XIX. 

THE INDIANS IN WAR AND IN PEACE. 

The Muh-he-ka-neew Nation were eminent among the 
other tribes, both for their valor in war, and for their vir- 
tues in time of peace. Besides the wars mentioned in 



80 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Section second, tradition tells us of a sanguinary conflict 
between the Stockbridge and Tunxis Tribes, in Northamp- 
ton. About the year 1821, in excavating the Northamp- 
ton and New Haven Canal, near the mouth of the Pequa- 
buck, a number of human skeletons were thrown out, 
which after a time were re-interred, a monument being 
erected over the grave. On this is an inscription, which 
speaks of the tradition that the spot was once an Lidian 
burial ground, as well as the field of the above mentioned 
engagement. 

A newspaper article ran through the country in 1849, 
which mentions the Stockbridges as " a remnant of the 
Mohegan Confederation which in the days of King Philip, 
waged such dreadful war with the Pilgrims." This is a 
mistake. In 1632, the Mohegans, with others, visited 
Governor W. and entered into an alliance with the 
whites; but in 1637, they joined the Pequods. They 
were, however, withdrawn through the influence of Roger 
Williams ; and when the bold Miantonimo revolted from 
his allegiance, and became again the foe of the English, 
they took him prisoner, delivered him up to the whites, 
and finally became his executioners. In 1675, when the 
" Pilgrims" were mostly dead, Philip, enraged doubtless 
by the cruelties which had shortened the life of his brother 
Alexander, the son and successor of Massasoit, waged war 
with the English, but the Mohegans, faithful to their league, 
were again friends to the white man. Joined with Con- 
necticut soldiers, under Major Talcot, in August of '75, 
they overtook and cut in pieces a body of two hundred 
hostile Indians, at Housatonic River (Au-so-tun-noog,) 
midway between Westfield and Albany, killing and taking 
prisoners forty-five, twenty-five of them being warriors. 
Major T. lost but one man, and that one a Mohegan ; and 
Hubbard, the historian of the event, mentions no hostile In- 
dians in this vicinity, which his own hostility would surely 
have led him to do had any been known. A band of In- 
dians from the Green River once mvaded Wethersfield, 
but Green River was then above Deerfield, what we now 
call the Green, being called the White River. So that 
were the Stockbridges a remnant, and not the root of the 
Mohegans, the charge would be groundless. They seem 
to have lived always in peace with the whites. In 1784, 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 81 

in preparing the ground for a church in this place, many- 
human bones were found ; and at different times within a 
few years, the last time during the present autumn, (1853,) 
similar remains have been discovered on what was the 
" Settle Lot," of Joseph Woodbridge, in and near the yard 
to his dwelling. Probably these are the remains of those 
slain in 1775, as, had they been the bones of Stockbridges, 
that Tribe would not have allowed the ground to be taken 
up. , 

January 20, 1740, the church was filled with strangers, 
met here to consult with the resident Indians upon the 
subject of the French War, with the view of standing neu- 
tral. Wampum had been sent by the Scat-te-kooks, and 
three belts were prepared here. One sent to an eastern 
tribe conveyed these sentiments, " Let us have a tender 
regard to our families. The white people, with whom we 
respectively live in alliance, are about to enter into war. 
We only desti'oy ourselves by meddling with their wars. 
They are great and strong, and reach to the clouds. Let 
us sit and look on when they engage. Don't let any of 
your people engage in their wars ; and while they fight, let 
us sit and smoke together." 

The third, sent to Norridgewock, is equally wise and 
shrewd : " Brother at Nau-nau-choo-wuk. Though you had 
begun a war with the English, you would regard us if we 
should desire you to leave off. You will, without doubt, 
not intermeddle, if we insist upon it. May be the Eng- 
lish think the Indians prevent their conquering their ene- 
mies, the French ; therefore let us sit and smoke together, 
and see who will be conquerors." 

The influence of the French prevented the carrying out 
of this plan ; yet the Stockbridge Indians were felt and 
acknowledged to be a great protection to this and neighbor- 
ing towns. Stockbridge lay in the direct route, and it was 
constantly feared that the French and Indians would be 
dowa from the north, and sweep the little mission station 
before them ; but the tide divided, and passed to the east 
and west of us, the hostile not daring to encounter the 
Jriendly Indians. 

In the spring of 1755, at the opening of the French and 
Indian war, two Schagh-ti-coke Indians, a father and son, 
were making sugar near where the Hop Brook Shakers 



82 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

are now settled. While the father was gathering sap, two 
white men passed the camp, leading horses without sad- 
dles, and with bark halters. When he returned, the son 
mentioned the circumstance to him, and he at once sus- 
pected the horses to have been stolen. Taking his gun, he 
followed the men, and was shot at the moment he overtook 
them, and beaten to death. The whites were pursued, 
overtaken, carried to Springfield and tried, but acquitted of 
murder. One received a slight punishment for manslaugh- 
ter, but the other was fully discharged. This enraged the 
Schagh-ti-cokes, and they resolved upon revenge. 

One Sabbath noon, during the following summer, while 
many of the inhabitants were still at church, a man, pass- 
ing the house of Mr. Chamberlain, which stood on the 
hill, on the site now occupied by Mrs. Joseph Hull, saw an 
Indian leave the house, dragging something after him. 
Supposing it to be one of the Stockbridge Indians, who 
was taking advantage of the absence of the family to plun- 
der, he ran towards him, when the Indian, seeing he was 
discovered, struck his tomahawk into the head of his vic- 
tim, and immediately fled. It was a little child of three 
years old. Entering the house, the man saw an infant 
taken from the cradle, and its brains dashed out against the 
mantle by another Indian, who also fled, while Mr. Owen, 
a hired servant, who in this case was more faithful than 
the husband and father, had fallen in defending Mrs. 
Chamberlain, and lay upon the floor nearly dead with his 
wounds. Mr. Chamberlain, and two little boys were on 
the bed in an adjoining room. One of the children crept 
under the bed, and the other hid between the straw and 
feathers, but the father, in his fright, jumped out at the 
window and fled. 

Col. Ephraim Williams had sold his place on the hill 
and left town, and the house — the same which was after- 
wards owned by Dr. West — ^was garrisoned during that 
war, and Owen was immediately taken there. Mr. Math- 
ew Cadwell, father of Mr. David Cadwell, was sent to 
Sheffield for a physician, there being none nearer at the 
time ; but Owen died. The alarm spread through the 
town like that of fire. Lawrence Lynch, from Ireland, 
father to Mr. Moses Lynch, late of this place, was living 
at Gen. — then Col. — Dwight's. In the fright, he took Pa- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 83 

mela, the infant, in his arms, and tied on foot to Barring- 
ton, with the whole family, little John Sergeant not staying 
to put shoe or stocking to the feet which were unluckily 
bare at the moment. 

Scouts had been sent to Pittsfield and Lenox the day 
before this affair, to bring in the few families who were 
located in those to^vns, the hostile attitude of the northern 
Indians having occasioned much alarm. As they were re- 
turning on the Sabbath, they were met near the house of 
Mr. Morell, on the Lenox road, by the same two Lidians, 
and one man named Stevens, who rode in front, was shot. 
The Indians were not seen until after the gun was fired, 
and they immediately fled. The life of Mrs. Stevens was 
saved by IMr. Hinsdale, the first settler of Lenox. Re- 
venge being thus taken, the Indians were satisfied, and 
seem to have returned quietly to their Tribe. 

During Sabbath night and next day, many came to as- 
sist the Stockbridge people, and the fort was well manned. 
But those who came had no regard for the Stockbridge 
Indians, and only increased the dissatisfaction already felt 
at the treatment of the Schagh-ti-cokes. They charged 
our Indians with the murders, and threatened them with 
death. Nor were all the inhabitants of Stockbridge pos- 
sessed of a missionary spirit. There were those so bar- 
barous even as to promise a reward to some soldiers who 
came this way, if they would bring to them the scalp of a 
Canadian Indian ; and the soldiers, still more barbarous, 
exhumed a Stockbridge Indian who had lately died, and 
took the scalp from his head. The fraud was detected, and 
the crime punished ; but the grief and indignation of the 
Indians was greatly increased. Yet an Indian can for- 
give. Governor Shirley soon drew off nearly every fight- 
ing man among them, with the promise that whites should 
be stationed here to protect their homes during their ab- 
sence, and Mr. Hawley, who had been driven back by the 
war, enlisted as Chaplain. 

At the opening of the Revolutionary War, a Stockbridge 
chief delivered the following speech before the Massachu- 
setts Legislature, 1779. 

" Brothers — You remember when you first came over the 
great water, I was great and you were little ; very small. I 
then took you in for a friend, and kept you under my arms so 



84 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

that no one might injure you. Since that time we have been 
true friends : there has never been any quarrel between us. 
But now our conditions are changed. You are become great 
and tall. You reach to the clouds. You are seen all round 
the world. I am become small; very little. I am not so 
high as your knee. Now you take care of me, and I look to 
you for pro'ection. 

Brothers ! I am sorry to hear of this great quarrel between yea 
and old England. It appears that blood must soon be shed 
to end this quarrel. We never till this day understood the 
foundation of this quarrel between you and the country you 
came from. Brothers ! Whenever I see your blood runnmg, 
you will soon see me about you to revenge my Brother's 
blood. Although I am low and very small, I will gripe hold 
of your enemy's heel, that he cannot run so fast and so light, 
as if he had nothing at his heels. 

'' Brothers ! You know I am not so wise as you are, there- 
fore I ask your advice in what I am now going to say. I have 
been thinking, before you come to action, to take a run to the 
westward, and feel the mind of my brethren, the Six Nations, 
and know how they are to stand ; whether they are on your 
side, or for your enemies. If I find they are ao^ainst you, I 
will try to turn their minds. I think they will listen to me, 
for they have always looked this way for advice concerning 
all important news that comes from the rising sun. If they 
hearken to me, you will not be afraid of any danger from be- 
hind you. However their minds are affected, you shall soon 
know by me. Now I think I can do you more service in this 
way, than by marchingoff immediately to Boston and staying 
there. It may be a great while before blood runs. Now, as 
I said, you are wiser than I. I leave this for your considera- 
tion, whether I come down immediately, or wait till I hear 
some blood is spilled. 

"Brothers! I would not have you think by this, that we 
are falling back from our engagements. We are ready to do 
any thing for your relief, and shall be guided by your counsel. 

" Brothers ! One thing I ask of you, if you send for me to 
fight, that you will let me fight in my own Indian way. I am 
not used to fight English fashion ; therefore you must not ex- 
pect I can train like your men Only point out to me where 
your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to know,'* 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 85 



SECTION XX, 



REMOVAL OF THE INDIANS FROM STOCKBRIDGE. 

The gratitude of the Oneidas to the Stockbridge tribe 
for aid received vrhen a powerful tribe from the west were 
about to destroy them, was effectively manifested by the 
gift of a tract of land in what is now the county of Mad- 
ison, New York. The question of removal was agitated 
previously to the Revolutionary struggle, but the war ren- 
dered it inexpedient, and the main body did not remove 
until 1785. Various families still lingered. The widow 
of Captain Nimham remained for several years in Glen- 
dale, and with her a beautiful and excellent daughter 
named Lucretia. Captain Yoke or Yokun, lived near the 
residence of Mi-s. Hopkins ; Catharine, the widow of King 
Solomon, on the same street, but nearer to the village ; 
Widow Elizabeth in her little log-house, neatly lined with 
matting, near Mr. Sheldon's, and some of the last snows of 
winter linger in the dell called " the Widow Pochow 
Place." John Schebuck wandered from house to house ; 
and once when pointed to the door, by a beautiful youno- 
bride from " the Cape," he indignantly asked if a " Scape 
Scodder thought to come here, turning out old 'habit- 
ants ?" Abraham Konkapot, and Hannah his wife, were 
the last to leave the old home. 

Mr. Kirkland had labored among the Oneidas for several 
years, keeping his family in Stockbridge, and that tribe 
seem to have been looked upon by others as peculiarly 
favored. The state of things at the time, the character of 
those with whom the Stockbridges were to be associated, 
&c., will best be seen by letters from them, and also by one 
from Mr. Kii'kland ; besides that, they are interesting spe- 
cimens of Indian composition. To Mr. Kirkland after the 
close of they war they wrote : 

" We entreat our Father to make one trial more for chris- 
tianizing Indians at least for one, if not for two years, and if 
there be no encouragement after that, that we shall be built 
5 



86 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

tip as a people, and embrace the religion of Jesus, he may 
leave us. and we shall expect nothing but ruin.'' 

And to the " Scot's Commissioners at Boston :" 
" Fathers — We have been distressed by the black cloud 
that so long overspread our country; the cloud is now blown 
over; let us thank the Great Spirit, ani praise Jesus. By 
means of the servants of Jesus, the good news of God's 
Word hath been published to us. We have received it. 
Some of us love it and Jesus hath preserved us through the 
late storm. Fathers our fire begins to burn again ; our hearts 
rejoice to hear it ; we hope it will burn brighter than ever; 
and that it will enlighten the nations around. Our brothers 
of the Stockbridge and Mohegan tribes, and many others 
from the eastwa cl, have already agreed to come and sit with 
us around it, who all hope to see also the light of God s Holy 
Word." 
March 10, 1784, Mr. Kirkland says : 

" The Oneidas expect in the course of two years to 
have more than a thousand Indians in their vicinity who 
•will be disposed to attend to the word of God. and among 
them fiome hearty lovers of the religion of Jesus, as them- 
selves express it. About eighty of the Delaware tribe have 
lately petitioned the Oneidas for a settlement in their neigh- 
borhood where they might have the privilege of religions 
instruction. Their request was immediately granted.'' 

Mr. John Sergeant had been educated at Newark, New 
Jersey, and though without college honors, was judged to 
be fully qualified, after a period of stndy with Rev. Dr. 
West of Stockbridge, to preach the gospel. In 1775, Dr. 
West committed to his care the Indian part of his congre- 
gation, as his knowledge of the language peculiarly fitted 
him for that department of labor ; and from that time he 
received the salary of the Missionary, and Dr. West was 
suppoi'ted by the whites, as pastor only. The missionary 
salary was then received from Scotland. During the Rev- 
olution, it was discontinued ; but was all paid up afterwards. 
The Massachusetts Missionary Society, at a later date, as- 
sumed in part the support of the station. The salary of 
Mr. John Sergeant, jun., when duly set apart for the work, 
was four hundred dollars. 

At the emigration of the Indians, Mr. Sergeant was un- 
decided what course to pursue. The Indians were dis- 
xois&ed ixom this churchy and, to the number of sixteen, 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 87 

formed into a cluircli by themselves. Mr. Sergeant re- 
mained with his family, and they left, sheej^ without a 
shejiherd. Soon, however, Rev. Sampson Occum, a distin- 
guished Mohegan preacher, visited New Stockbridge, gain- 
ed favor with the people, and manifested a wish to be set- 
tled over them. In 1786 Mr. Sergeant visited his little 
flock, intending to preach to them in future, and leave his 
family in old Stockbridge. But there was a division, one 
party preferring their old pastor and teacher, and the 
other choosing a minister of their own race. The 
result was the formation of two churches, to one of which 
Mr. Occum ministered until his sudden death, which Mr. 
Sergeant says in his journal was " about 1791." Mr. 
Sergeant had been ordained as Evangelist in 1788, with a 
view to his mission at N. Stockbridge ; and after the death 
of Mr. O., Rev. Mr. Ells of New Haven, a missionary, 
visited tlie Stockbridge Indians, and formed a plan of union 
between the churches. 



— # — 
SECTION XXI. 

RESIDENCE AT NEW STOCKBRIDGE. 

For some time Mr. Sergeant kept his family in Massa- 
chusetts and spent a part of his time here, an Indian 
woman keeping house for him at New Stockbridge ; but 
when his daughters were old enough to superintend his fam- 
ily concerns among the Indians, two of them in turn spent 
a year with him there, to the great joy of his people. The 
time of change was a public day to tliem ; they met to de- 
liver farewell addresses, and to give new and significant 
names to those who had left for a time the pleasures of 
more civilized society to accompany and aid their " Father" 
in his efforts to do them good. They were ready in sup- 
plying the missionary with such comforts as they could 
procure, and manifested a tender regard for his welfare. 
More than this, they showed a disposition to strengthen and 
encourage him in his missionary labors. " Father," said 



88 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

tliey in an address delivered in 1791, "we hope you will 
keep up good courage, and we will try all we can to 
strengthen your hands in all your labors of love to promote 
the peace, happiness and prosperity of our nation." 

The charity of some eastern friends, together with assist- 
ance from his people, enabled Mr, Sergeant to erect a 
framed building, in which he settled his family : but the 
Indians afterwards built a dam to obtain water power ; and 
the flooded timber, as it decayed, so coi'rupted the atmos- 
phere, that he was obliged to build again beyond the reach 
of the miasma. Those of his family who were sensitive to 
the unhealthful influence, removed ; the others remained, 
and his time was divided between them. The Indians 
themselves suffered much : sickness prevailed and many 
died. At length, wiser perhaps than we, they drained the 
pond made by the dam, and health was restored to the 
village. 

The farm on which the Mission House stood, about 50 
acres, was set off for the use of Mr. S. by the Indians. 
The church was built by the Missionary Society. It was 
a neat building, and would accomodate 500 persons. The 
London Bibles adorned the pulpit ; and when stoves came 
to be a part of church furniture, Rev. Dr. Morse, who was 
frequently at New Stockbridge, presented one to the con- 
gregation, or rather to the female members of it. " Old 
Fish" was a noted Tythingman. He carried a long stick, 
which was used, both in doors and out as occasion required. 
In 1792, the Stockbridge Indians and their neighbors, the 
Six Nations, were invited to Philadelphia by Gen. Wash- 
ington, " that measures might be concerted to impart such 
of the blessings of civilization as might suit their condition" 
at that time, and Col. Pickering was delegated to treat 
with them. One thousand five hundred dollars annually 
was appropriated, to be divided among them : and this an- 
nuity was of great use to the Stockbridges in the support of 
their poor. During their stay in Philadelphia, Gen. W. 
ordered that they " should be well fed, well lodged and well 
clothed" ; that " presents should be sent to their wives and 
families ;" and as two of their number had been removed by 
death, " that their tears should be wiped away according to 
their own custom," and " presents be sent to the relatives of 
the deceased" at home. These orders he mentions in his 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 89 

farewell address to them, dated Philadelphia, April 5, 1792. 
He calls them New York Indians, the Pivc Nations ; their 
old name not having again been universally applied to them, 
though they had been Six since the return of the southern 
branch of the Tuscaroras from Carolma, in the early days 
of that Colony. 

After their removal from Masachusetts, the Indians still 
retained the puritan custom of setting apart a day an- 
nually for Fasting and Prayer, in the spring, and another 
in the fall for thanksgiving, and they took pleasure in the 
thought that they were united with their old friends in these 
exercises. Dec. 5, 1793, was one of their Thanksgiving 
days. The assembly convened at 12, and listened to the 
discourse, and then retired to a private house, where the 
Pastor was invited to dine. A table of sufficient size to 
accomodate 30 or 40 persons, was plentifully spread with 
meats, pies and puddings, and " good wholesome spring- 
water ;" and when the cloth had been removed, the Chief 
delivered a long address. Among other things, he exhorted 
them to thankfulness for all the mercies of the year past, 
and that they had been permitted at its close " to sit to- 
gether in love and peace, and partake of the bounties 
of heaven, not eating food we might have obtained from 
white people, our neighbors, which was our state of depen- 
dence in the country from which we came ; but we have 
now been fed by such things as we have obtained by the 
labor of our own hands." This, he said, was " matter of 
thankfulness." Nor were they thankful in word only. 
Freely they felt that they had received, and freely they 
would give. The provisions which remained after the 
feast was over, were distributed among the poor and the 
aged, and the festivities closed with joyful expressions of 
gratitude to God, and to man, — a day, one would suppose not 
readily forgotten by the community of whites around them 
among whom such Feasts were unknown. 

In 1798, a deputation was sent from Boston, consisting of 
Rev. Drs. Belknap and Morse, to inquire into the state of 
the New York Indians, and the success of missionary 
labors among them. Of course Mr. Sergeant's journal be- 
ing written for the inspection of the Commissionei's, con- 
tains nothing relative to the visit except the fact ; but the 
continuance of support argues their satisfaction. The 



90 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

principal men met to wait on them previous to the public 
meeting. In May of the same year, a number of Quakers, 
or Friends, from Philadelphia, passed through the tribes, 
exhorting the Indians to temperance, industry, and the cul- 
tivation ot the arts of civilzed life, and promising the aid 
of their Society in the promotion of these ends. The 
Stockbridge Indians " all met," to listen to their advice. 

In 1798, a most interesting admission to the church 
is recorded. Far back in the ages of antiquity, if we 
can credit the records of uncivilized nations, a divis- 
ion of the Tuscarora Tribe took place ; and while one 
portion went South and settled on the Neuse, others 
were scattered over the prairies of the West. Among these 
last, or else among the Delawares in their vicinity, was the 
Muncey Tribe. No light had yet broken upon the spiritu- 
al darkness of that region, through human instrumentality; 
but one ray streari»ed directly from the throne into the con- 
science of a Munsee, through no medium bvit the creation, 
proving that even the heathen " are without excuse." The 
first conviction of this pagan was, that the world around him 
must have had a creator. He looked at the earth and at 
the sky, he heard a voice in the trees, and in the streams, 
and laid himself down in the budding grass, and felt that 
there was a God. But was he unknown, as well as unseen ? 
The bosom of the child heaved with aspirations for its all 
pervading Parent, and did not the heart of the Father yearn 
over the child of his creation ? Yes, surely, if there was a 
benevolent Creator, he had revealed himself to his creatures; 
and the untaught Munsee devoted his future life to the 
search for God, and his Revelation. 

God has never said to any of his creatures " Seek ye me in 
vain," and soon the enquirer heard of light at the east. Re- 
solved to " leave his country and his father's house," and go 
into that country of which the Lord should tell him, he 
desired his wife to accompany him. But she loved her 
people and her religion too well, and would not be jiersua- 
ded ; so, " staggering not" under the sore trial, he turned his 
back upon all he had and loved or known, and set forward on 
his pilgrimage. Arrived at the Tuscarora village, he ob- 
tained the services of Capt. Cusick, and came with him to 
to Mr. Sergeant, Capt. C. was generally employed by Mr. 
Sergeant as interpreter to his people who attended service 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 91 

in New Stockbridge, and having experience himself of 
the power of the Gospel, was able to convey to the pilgrim 
the teachings of the Pastor. The thirsty soul of the Mun- 
see drank in the truth like water ; and " believing with all 
his heart," he was baptized by the well deserved name of 
Abraham. Muncey became his surname. Having left his 
own family he chose to live alone, and his neat little hut hi 
the woods, three miles from church, was ever a fit emblem of 
the purity of his after life. Though lame, he was always 
at church, and one of the first there. He remained in 
New Stockbridge until the little band of Tuscaroras, to 
which the Cusick family belonged, rejoined their brethren 
near Bufialo. He was called by the Stockbridges a Mun- 
cey, and also a Tuscarora, though the Tuscaroras call the 
Munseeys or Munsys, Delawares. 

Another circumstance which goes to make up the history 
of the Muh-he-ka-ne-ok at Ncav Stockbridge, being without 
date, may be mentioned in connection with the story 
of Abraham Munsee, as it is supposed to have occurred not 
far from the time of his conversion. "Word was brought by 
one of their neighbors that a Chief was dead, and the 
mourners, according to custom, Avould soon pass through the 
Indian towns to pronounce eulogies, and sing " condolence 
songs." A large cabin was erected for the Council ; and 
when the mourners arrived, they sung their songs as they 
marched along the streets to the place of assembling. Mr. 
Sergeant prepared a supper of which he invited them 
to partake after the public exercises were over ; and when, 
their bodies had been well fed, he brought out the old 
London Bibles, and explained the picture to a motley group 
of Senecas, Oneidas, Onondagas, &c. Among them wag 
an Onondaga Chief, and the bread for the soul thus dealt 
out proved food indeed for him. From that day he labored 
for the " meat that endureth unto everlasting life." 

In 1805, Mr. Sergeant was invited to attend two great 
Councils at Oneida, and listen to the instructions just 
brought from " the prophet, so called," by the Onondagas, 
his adherents, accompanied, in the first instance, by five or 
six strings and belts of wampum. The advice, delivered 
in the most tender and affectionate manner, was in sub- 
stance this — That they should refrain from all vice, bury 
all animosities, cast oiF the past as a tattered, filthy garment, 



92 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

and begin anew, lives of sobriety, honesty, peace and 
friendship, listening to the instructions of missionaries in 
things temporal, and particularly to the teachings of Mr. 
Sergeant. He told them that the greater knowledge of the 
whites enabled them to defraud the Indian ; but that the 
Great Spirit had given only to the white man skill to make, 
or liberty to drink poisonous liquors, therefore his Red 
Children must shun all temptations from that source with 
abhorrence, and expel from their society all those who still 
indulged their dangerous inclinations. Notice was then 
given of a general Council to be held at Sandusky the next 
spring, to discuss the matter of reform. The western 
Indians had been invited, and the Shawanoes particularly 
required by the Senecas to attend, and also to take from 
their witches all poisonous roots. 

At the conclusion of this address, Mr. Sergeant was 
desired to speak ; and his instructions were received with 
the greatest cordiality. A pagan Chief thanked him, 
he said, a thousand times, in a long speech, promising for 
the future to renounce ardent spirits altogether. The first 
council was held on the 10th of Aug., and early in Septem- 
ber the Stockbridge Lidians were required to return their 
answer. Here was a strong temptation. The Prophet 
openly declared that the Indians could not embrace the 
religion of the rchites, but his revelations were more friendly 
to the gospel than they had been. Tlieir brethren far and near 
were listening to him, and they must either yield, or Avith a 
sensitiveness more keen than that of the white man, stand out, 
and be singular, perhaps obvoxions, for several were put to 
death for nonconformity. Considered in this light, the five 
strings of white wampum delivered by the men, and the 
four strings of white and purple delivered by the women, 
are " ornaments of grace unto their heads, and chains 
about their necks." 

After preliminary courtesies, Capt. Hendrick Aupaumut, 
the Chief and Speaker, says — 

'* Be it known to you, that we are well pleased to find j'ou 
are so faithful in delivering what is right and good, that you 
have such resolutions to forsake all wicked practices and to 
follow the good path : and further be it known to you that we 
lake hold of your good words, and will endeavor to hold them 
fast. 

''Uncles, we will also inform you that the reasons why the 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 93 

nations of the land have ever been overcome by poisonous 
liquors and other sins is, — because we believe the temptations 
of the evil spirit, and would have him reign in our hearts in- 
stead of the Good Spirit, and because we are ignorant of our 
weakness ; therefore we depend upon our own strength and 
wisdom : consequently we neglect to pray to the Great and 
Good Spirit for wisdom and strength. But, Uncle, be assured, 
— unless we and you pray earnestly to him for help, and that 
every day, we can never overcome this strong drink, and all 
wicked practices. 

Uncle, you must not depend upon that Prophet you speak of 
altogether for instruction ; but you and we must depend on the 
Good Spirit altogether, and make our wants known to him 
every day ; for if we neglect this we can't expect his blessing. 

Uncle, listen, ; — You, the Chiefs, ought to give to yourselves 
liberty, and give liberty to your young men and women, that 
you and they may go to hear the Mmisters of the Gospel when 
such opportunity offers at your village or neighborhood, and 
forbid them not. 

Uncle, if any time in future, good white people should offer 
to teach your children to read and write, or instruct you in the 
way of the christian religion, refuse it not ; but accept the 
same, and embrace it, because by learning to read and write, 
you may know the mind and will of the Good Spirit, and can 
learn many wonderful things which he has done from the crea- 
tion of the world ] and by which you may know how to praise 
him, and pray to him aright. 

Uncle, — What I tell you I will do myself. We give our 
young men and women liberty to go and hear the Ministers of 
the Gospel anywhere, — also to come here (to the Onondaga 
village,) to hear and see the ancient way of worship of your 
forefathers ; and if any one should find in their minds to be 
their duty to join this or that society, we will not forbid them ] 
because if you and we use both tliese means, when one fails 
the other may stand ; but if you, and we depend only upon 
one instrument; and neglect all the rest, when this fails, you 
and I must come to ruin. 

Uncle — In your speech you exhort us to be united as one 
man. This we have done on our part these many years past. 
AVe maintain friendship and union with our brothers, the 
Oneidas and Tuscaroras, and we do not respect this party or 
that, (meaning christian or pagan party, so called,) but we 
love them all alike. 

Uncle. — Let us all look to the Great and Good Spirit every 
day for help, and may he guide us in the right way.'' 

The message of the women was more definite upon the 
subject of Temperance, lamenting that the whites should 
5* 



94 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

ever have introduced such " poisons into tins Island," and 
informing their sisters that but few of their sex now drank 
at all. " Number of us," say they, " endeavor to walk in 
the same good path which the Great Good Spirit has point- 
ed out for us, and are looking to him every day for help, for 
Ave find that we can do nothing of ourselves, and do believe 
that he will not accept mere ceremonies, but he i*equires 
the whole heart." Then, as their husbands and broth- 
er had done, they exhort their less christianized sisters to 
improve any opportunities which may ever offer to give edu- 
cation to their children ; "and further," say they, "we exhort 
you to be very faithful to teach your little childi-en as soon 
as they are able to understand words. Teach them the will 
of the Good Spirit, and do it every day." 

These speeches were both delivered by Capt H. Aupau- 
mut, and copies were furnished by him to Mr. Sergeant. — 
Doubtless he was the author of the first. But the last is 
less perfect English, and breathes a deeper tone of experi- 
mental piety. It is probably from the pen of some female 
member of the church. Mr. S. also wrote a letter to the 
Prophet. In August of the same year, Dorothy Shipley, a 
member of the Society of Friends, from Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, visited New Stockbridge, spent a few days with the 
Indians and then publicly addressed them. On the 16th 
she held another meeting with the women of the tribe, at 
which she communicated much good instruction. She was 
pleased with the amiable disposition of the people, and they 
on their part were grateful for her kindness, and gave thanks 
in a farewell address, that the " Good Spirit had put such 
love into her heart that she was willing to undertake such a 
long "and tedious journey on purpose to deliver his message 
to them, and that he had protected her on the way." And 
now, having given her a brief account of the mission among 
them, and expressed their hopes and joys in view of a 
brighter world, they promised by Divme Grace, to cherish 
the memory of this new friend, " and of the good words 
which she had delivered to them," commending her to 
the protection of heaven, and looking forward to that day 
when she and they should be gathered at the right hand of 
the Redeemer, to be parted no more forever. This address 
was signed by five of the sisters in behalf of the "Women 
of the Muh-hea-kun-neek Nation." • 



on, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 05 

Oct. 11 ; the women held a general meeting and agreed to 
use their influence to discountenance public weddings. This 
was a new inroad upon national customs which they believed 
the cause of temperance and good morals now required, 
and they " unanimously" resolved — " That we will use our 
utmost influence to put an end to this practice, by having 
the weddings of our young people as private as possible." 

Feb. 3d, 1811, a very interesting concert of sacred music 
was given by the Indians of New Stockbridge. The 
choir, consisting of 60 or 70 Indians, " dressed in their best," 
and one playing on a flute, marched about half a mile to 
the church, where the procession opened for the entrance 
of the clergy. About 100 whites and 200 Indians were 
supposed to be present. The sermon was preached by one 
ot the neighboring ministers, and the performances gave 
imiversal satisfaction. 

" This remarkable attention of my people, to improve in 
the art of singing," says Mr. Sergeant, " has had a good effect 
to call the people together ; a seriousness has appeared in 
the minds of some, together with a reformation of manners. 
The Singing Master has much advanced the cause of reli- 
gion among this people." 

Oct. 3d, 1817, Joseph Quinney was chosen Deacon of 
the Church. He was a very useful man, active in sustain- 
ing and conducting meetings for prayer. June 12, 1818, 
Jacob Cheek-sun-kun was chosen to the same office, in the 
room, probably, of Dea. Quinney, as he removed about 
that time to Ohio. 

Apr. 8, 1819, Rev. Mr. Parsons preached to the Stock- 
bridges from Rom. 10. 1., " Brethren, my heart's desire, 
&;c." After sermon, a collection of So,07 was taken up 
for the Jews, and Capt Hendrick Aupaumut read an affec- 
tionate letter from the " Muh-hea-kun-nuk Nation" to their 
"brethren who were encamped about Jerusalem, — the Sa- 
chem and head men of the remnant of the children of 
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, commonly called Jews." In 
this epistle they gave an account of the " arrival at their 
fireside of a certain man named John Sergeant about 84 
years before," and of the blessing which had followed his 
instructions. " We would moreover inform you," say they, 
" that our ancestors were sitting at th« front door of tho 



96 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

house, and that our allies or friends, or un-nun-naum-pauk, 
commonly called Indians, were sitting on the west side of 
us. None of them as a nation had received the religion of 
Jesus except the Mohawks, who were sitting next to us. — 
We feel happy, however, to inform you that many of our 
brethren of the different tribes of Indians have now received 
the good "Word of God." Then they speak of the knowl- 
edge derived from that Word, and remark that " many of 
the heathen Indians on this Island, when they heard that 
Jesus was killed by his own brethren, the Jews, were much 
enraged, and declared that they would not have killed so 
good a brother." But they remind the outcasts of the 
many great and precious promises in store, to be fulfilled in 
the day of Israel's redemption, to hasten which they now 
unite in sending " messengers of the Lord to them," believ- 
ing that if Jews and Un-nun-naum-pauk would be faithful 
to the end and truly worship the Great and Good Spirit, 
they would meet and see each other at the great day of 
Jesus, " when believing Jews, and all faitliful Gentiles will 
be received into heaven, or Woh-un-koi-geu-wun-kun-nuk, 
where there is fullness of peace and joy, and consummate 
happiness. 

Capt. Hendrick closed with an address to Mr. Parsons, 
imploring the blessing of heaven upon him and the good 
cause in which he was engaged. " Nothing," says Mr. P. 
in speaking of this scene, " could please me more. I was 
willing to believe he Avas a son of Abraham, pleading the 
cause of him whom their fathers crucified." Three baskets 
were presented to Mr. P. and a string of wampum was sent 
with the letter or message. 

During their residence at New Stockbridge, the Indi- 
ans sustained a character for kindness to their own poor, 
and hospitality to strangers. Their houses were built 
of logs, or in the English style, according to the thrift of 
the owners. Their gardens were well cultivated by the 
women. Little attention was paid to the cultivation of 
fruit. 

For a few years after the removal of Mr. Sergeant, he 
employed white men to teach, for the benefit of his own 
children. Among these teachers, are mentioned Lot Rue from 
Stockbridge, and a Nathaniel Sergeant, not connected with 
the missionary. For several of the last years of their 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 97 

residence in New York also, the small children were placed 
under the care of white ladies, Miss Camp of Litchfield, for 
one or two seasons, and afterwards Miss Gregg. Except 
these teachers, the Indians tr.zight as well as sustained 
their own schools. Those who possessed the means also 
sent their children to select schools among the whites. Girls 
were sent to the school of Miss Royce in Clinton ; several 
boys were educated at Cornwall ; one by the Moravians, 
and others, both boys and girls, in different parts of the 
country, as circumstances would permit. 

The Indians always seem to feel their danger from spirit- 
uous liquors, and as early as 1796, a man by the name of 

Moses was convicted upon a charge of bringing spirits 

into town for sale, contrary to the by-laws of the Nation. 
Alter this, in consequence of their inability to control the 
whites by any national laws, an Act was passed in the Legis- 
lature of New York, forbidding the traffic to all citizens of the 
state. This was obtained through the influence of Mr 
Sergeant, but he was bitterly persecuted on account of it, 
and the Indians found it as difficult to execute the laws of 
the State upon spirit dealers, as to put in force their own. In 
a circular written upon this subject by a daughter of the 
missionary, she speaks of the Indians, once owners of the 
Continent, 

" Now driven from their last retreat ; their homes and fire- 
sides taken violent possession of by ruffians ; their fields and 
gardens dressed by the hands of strangers, and they driven 
forth from their family altars and the Temple of their God, to 
roam among the beasts of the forests or beg their bitter bread 
from door to door. Look," says she, " at their corrupters, car- 
rying the poison of ardent spirits to their very dwellings, and 
there tempting them by every argument these emissaries of 
Satan, assisted by the father of lies, can hold forth to intemper- 
ance, and following in his foot steps all the foul black train of 
vices Look at their youth the hope and promise of their nation, 
withheld indeed by the force of unassisted resolution and the 
voice of conscience, at last yielding themselves an unwilling 
prey to the voice of temptation, becoming inebriated, bar 
tering their homes and attempting to murder their wives. 
Look at their tempters, profaning God's holy day ; and within 
sound of their peaceful house of worship, and while they were 
engaged in its sacred rites, has been heard the sound of their 
axes. Because too, the laws of our State had not made the 
Indians amenable for debt, actions of trespass have been 



98 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT," 

brought against them ; begging of them the purchase of prop- 
erty, and because found in their hands, indicting them before 
eur courts of justice for theft; then by robbing the sick and 
miserable of the beggarly remains of the property which they 
have, or thrusting them, diseased, into prison, there to die, 
leaving their wives and babes to mourn, because that, in the 
midst of this christian land not one was found to befriend the 
friendless. These are not the chimeras of fancy, but melan- 
cholly facts vi'hich any, who will, may learn. '^ 

Miss Sergeant also drew up a Constitution, and a very 
interesting Temperance Society was foi-med among the 
females. In liis journal of April, 1819, Mr. Sergeant 
mentions a sermon preached by a missionary at the funeral 
of a woman, the '' President of the Female Society for 
Promoting Good Morals, Industry and Manufactures among 
the Women of the Tribe." 

The Monthly Concert was early established, and strictly 
observed ; and collections were sometimes made for mis- 
sionary purposes. 

Mr. Sergeant especially addressed the Oneidas and Tusca- 
roras at the close of the Sabbath services, or delivered the 
discourse of the morning to tliem at his own house during 
the intermission, Capt. Nicholas Cusick being the interpre- 
ter. Capt. Cusick was chosen to the office of deacon, but 
at what date is not known. He joined the church about 
1790. When his tribe, the Tuscaroras, removed to the 
vicinity of Niagara, he went with them, and subsequently 
joined the Baptists and was immersed. He died in 1844 
or 5, at the advanced age of 91 or 2.* 

Mr. Sergeant held a Conference Meeting during the week 
at which the people, both males and females, proposed 
questions ; — questions often, which indicated deep thought 
and searchings of heart. Confessions were made too of 
particular sins, and forgiveness asked. The children were 
frequently catechised by the Pastor ; and the females sus- 
tained a weekly prayer meeting on Thursdays. Revivals 
often occurred, and the relations of christian experience 



*Note. The Cusick family possess unusual talent, and 
have exerted it in a laudable manner. They have attended to 
the cultivation of their minds, and one of them has appeared 
before the world as a compiler of ancient Indian Records. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 99 

which have been preserved, show marks of deep humility, 
earnest conflicts, and a childlike lying down in the arms of 
the covenant-keeping Redeemer, as the only, but the all-suf- 
ficient refuge of the sin-sick soul. The commencement of 
one revival is worthy of especial notice. 

About the year 1812 religion seemed in a very low 
state, and one of the principal women, a member of the 
Quinney family, feared that no reviving influences would 
again fall on New Stockbridge. Her heart was discouraged, 
and she " went mourning all the day long." At length the 
thought came to her — " God is never discouraged" — and 
the oil of joy flowed into her soul. She strengthened her- 
self in God, and gave her heart to prayer for a blessing. — 
Soon the heavens gathered blackness, the sound of approach- 
ing rain was heard, and a "plentiful shower made glad the 
little heritage of God ; — but most of all it gladdened the 
heart of Mrs. Seth. 



SECTION XXII. 



REMOVAL FROM NEW STOCKBRIDGE. 

In his early history of the Muh-hea-ka-ne-uk, Capt 
Hendrick mentions the Miami Indians as their grand child- 
ren, and observes that a number of his people live on the 
land long since transferred to them. Of this fact there are 
traces in their New Stockbridge history, one of which will 
be mentioned in the biographical notice of Capt. Hendrick 
Aupaumut. In 1818, so great was the evil of vicinity to 
the whites, measures were entered into to effect a general 
removal. The title to the land, it was believed, was secured, 
and July 2oth, a church was foi-med, consisting of four 
males, and four females, who were recommended to the fel- 
lowship of the Presbytery of Ohio ; and Sept. 4th, a com- 
I)any of 70 or 80 people started for a new home. They 
took with them Scott's Commentary, and also the Farewell 
Address of Mr. Sergeant, which he requested them to read 
together as often as once or twice in the year. 



100 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

A petition had been presented to the Governor and 
Council of New York in March of that year, which after 
hastily glancing at the great change that had taken place 
since the Indians, seated on the banks of the Hudson, 
received the feeble whites as brothers, and built a fire- 
place for them at Albany, and in true Indian eloquence 
pointed to our battle-fields, where their bones are always 
mingled with the bones of the white man, — desires that 
Government would " buy a part of their Dish" to enable 
those who desired to remove, and " keep the other part for 
the use of those who remained in the State, — and keep away 
their people from it." They also expressed a desire to go as 
christians ; and though they should be settled among the 
heathen, still " to pursue the same path of civilization as 
that pursued by the Avliites." 

The land which they had now obtained lay " upon the 
White River, in Ohio, but near the borders of Indiana." — 
Before reaching it, however, they learned that the Miami 
Indians had sold their own land, and with it that of the 
Stockbridges, reserving the right of occupancy for three 
years. On the receipt of this sad news, some re- 
turned ; but others went on, and either settled upon the 
soil or scattered about where they could find employment for 
the winter. In May, 1819, James McCockle wrote to Mr. 
S. from Piqua, saying that the papers of the church mem- 
bers had been received at that place with cordiality, and a 
communion service appointed on their account. They had 
spent the winter in that vicinity, and generally been orna- 
ments to their profession. The pastor of the Piqua church 
frequently preached to them. A letter from John Metoxin 
of the same date speaks of divisions which had almost dis- 
heartened Deac. Quinney, and caused himself many sad 
reflections. A letter from Mr. Sergeant had restored una- 
nimity of feeling ; but where to go, or what to do, was 
a question diflScult to answer. At length it was decided to 
unite at White River, and to endeavor to regain the land by 
application to Government. But their efforts Avere una- 
vailing, and sickness wasted both their numbers and their 
spirits. 

In the mean time the church at home felt deeply for 
them, and many prayers went up in their behalf. Jan. 23, 
1819, was set apart as a day of Fasting and Prayer in view 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 101 

of this disappointment, and of the circumstance that the 
Chiefs of the Nation wei'e in Washington, and wouhl that 
day lay the case before the General Government. Prayers 
were offered for the i-elief of the distressed, and " that the 
Good Lord would dispose the great men of the United 
States to restore their land." But Providence had other 
designs, and their prayers were returned, doubtless into 
their own bosoms. The land could not be regained, though 
they were nftcrw ords paid for its loss. 

About this time, two small bands of New York Indians 
requested leave of President Monroe to purchase with their 
own means of the Menomonees, for Si 2,000, a tract of land 
on Green Bay ; the Six Nations having been permitted by 
an Act of 1794 to trade with individuals as individual 
tribes. There is evidence that the treaty was made and the 
money paid ; but the Menomonees denied it ; and the whole 
was, it is said, the work of the Ogden Land Company, who 
wished to involve Congress in efibrts for the removal of all 
the New York Indians, as they had obtained the right 
to purchase of them. The affair was finally adjusted 
in 1832, by Congress paying to the Indians the $12,000, 
and also purchasing for them of the Western Indians 
a tract of 500,000 acres on Green Bay for which they paid 
$20,000. Since that time most fraudulent measures have 
been resorted to, in the hope that the Indians would either 
be induced, or constrained to remove ; measures which dis- 
grace even poor humanity ; but still many remain. 

During this period of commotion — Dec. 18, 1821 — Mr. 
Sergeant speaks of the " Great plan to concentrate about 
5,000 Indians in the vicinity of Green Bay, on the west side 
of Lake Michigan. My people," he says, " with a few of 
the Six Nations, were very successful in purchasing a 
large country there, and we understand the General Gov- 
ernment have confirmed their title. Means will now be used 
to obtain a law of Congress to exclude spirituous liquors, and 
white heathin from Green Bay. If the Lord should pros- 
per this plan, my people would all be willing to remove. — 
In this case, there will soon be the most interesting estab- 
lishment for the benefit of near 20,000 individuals scattered 
in what is called the North West Territory, that has ever 
been planned ; for my people would caiTy with them almost 
all the arts of civilized life. The poor natives cannot 



■ lit. 
102 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

flourish, surrounded by a white population." The church 
of New Stockbridge then numbered about 30. Mr. Ser- 
geant endeavored to procure the temperance law and also a 
quantity of Eliot's bibles for his people to distribute ; but 
both attempts Avere unsuccessful. A part of the Indians, 
hoAvever, removed ; and Mr. Sergeant's son went on with 
with them, and saw them settled on the Fox River, near 
Green Bay, Others still remained, and preferred to call 
themselves " the (Indian) Nation." 

Sept. 8, 1824, Mr. Sergeant died, after a long season of 
decline. In an address presented by the Indians to the Uni- 
ted Mission Society of the Presbytery of Oneida County, 
March 9, 1825, they " confess that their tongues are impo- 
tent to tell the least part of the invaluable serA-ices Avhieh he 
had rendered them," and declare that to the last " he slacked 
not, but earnestly labored to secure a successor, and recom- 
mended them to the Society from Avhich he deriA'ed his sup- 
port." When he was compelled to close his labors in the 
pulpit, they felt, they say, " as if their sun was setting, and 
did not know but darkness Avould succeed." But the God 
Avhom they had aA'Ouched did not forsake them. The ReA"-. 
Jesse Miner began first to preach to them one half of the 
time, and ^irevious to the deliA'ery of this address had been 
commissioned by the aboA'e named Society of Oneida to 
take the entire charge of them. He seemed well qualified 
for his Avork, and entirely won their confidence ; and for 
this kindness the Indians " expi*essed hearty and sincere 
thanks." Miss Gregg also continued her labors as teacher ; 
and in one of her letters written in 1827, she mentions an 
instance of christian liberality Avhich is seldom surpassed, 
and indeed seldom equaled among any people. 

It had been the Avish of many that the land appropriated 
to the use of the Missinnary should be given to his daugh- 
ter, Avho had remained Avith him until his death, and since 
then married the Rca^ S. Churchill of New Lebanon. But 
there Avas much confusion ; eA'il influences were abundantly 
at Avoi'k, and all was sold. "■ They are a nation," says Miss 
G. " scattered and peeled, and trodden under foot of others, 
and like the ancient Israelites, Avorst of all, divided among 
themseh'es." In this state of things, a report reached 
them that the church and mission house were to be sold at 
auction, and appropriated to some profane use ; and Mrs. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 103 

Lydia Hendrick, the wife of Capt. Hendrick Aiipaumut, 
Avent immediately to Albany, unattended, in the hoj^e of 
rescuing what she held so dear. There she hired white 
men to bid for her, and paid from her own purse the price 
of the church, besides a premium of SlOO, exacted of her 
by the human forms which she had hired, before they 
Avould relinquish what was of right her own. The mission 
house she could not obtain. On her return to New Stock- 
bridge, she newly dressed the pulpit and window, from her 
own funds, and furnished bark for the stove, prepared 
by her own hands. Her husband was Chief of the Tribe ; 
and faithful to the duties of the office as explained in his 
History of his people, the church was let to whites even, 
free of all rent, until the removal of the Hendricks to 
Green Bay. This removal took place in September, 1829. 
Several others left at the same time ; Mr. Miner and Miss 
Gregg were already there, she, married to a gentleman who 
kept a store for the Indians. And here seems to close the 
History of New Stockbridge. 

— # — 
SECTION XXIII. 

GATHERING AT GREEN BAY. 

Having now traced the history of the tribe while resident 
in New York, we will turn to the west, and watch the Indi- 
ans as they gather in their new home — or rather collect, 
and pitch their tents, to wait the next cry of the white man, 
" Onward ! onward ! the country is yet too straight for 



us 



About nine years were spent in the removal. The object 
of the Ogden Land Company Avas to induce all the New 
York Indians to emigrate ; and as some steadily refused to 
do so, confusion and discord reigned throughout the whole 
body ; and the uncertainty which hung over their prospects 
at the west, necessarily produced unquiet there. The 
Stockbridges were perhaps as exempt from trouble as any 
tribe, if not more quiet than their neighbors, and they 



104 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

obtained for their land, it is said, all that they asked ; but 
all letters dated within that time seem to have been written 
under circumstances of turmoil and distress. Yet, "though 
cast down," they were " not destroyed." In a letter from 
John Metoxin — as the name is now spelled — dated "Cades, 
Green Bay, Dec. 2, 1823," after speaking of his deep 
regard for Mr. Sergeant, and for his old home in New 
York, he mentions the arrival of a new band, and adds — 
" I apprehend that I can tell you a pleasing news : that our 
brethren appear to be quite different from what they were 
when I first saw them. I trust that some of them are 
choosing God for their portion, remembering that he is the 
only source of true happiness for the immortal soul, and 
grieving because they have forsaken the only King of 
the univei-se. Some of them express an unwillingness to 
continue here — that is, to obey the things of this world — 
for they find no rest in this sinful world. It is true, indeed, 
as we all know, the soul that was made for God, can find 
no happiness but in God ; it came from God, and can never 
be happy but in returning to him again. Thus we may 
have reason to believe that the Spirit of the Lord is mov- 
ing upon them, saying, ' Arise ye, and depart, for this is not 
your rest. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those 
things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right 
hand of God, &c. &c.' " — for like his brethren and sisters, 
Mr. M. seems to have been fluent in the sci'iptures. He 
then tells his aged Pastor how he and Mrs. Metoxin first 
contrived to introduce the subject of religion to their back- 
sliding brethren, whom they found were in deep waters, 
being particularly grieved that they had exposed themselves 
to err by the use of ardent spirits, and ready, in the humil- 
ity of soul, to begin again the christian life. And here Ave 
see a trait which is very often developed in the character of 
these simple-hearted people. If they have wandered far from 
the path of christian duty, they do not destroy what charity 
their brethren may still entertain for them by endeavox'ing 
to patch up an old hope ; but honestly, frankly, they cast 
away the past as " filthy rags," and buckle on the harness 
as if never worn before. We talk of the pride of the In- 
dian ; he has pride ; but through the grace of God he can 
lay it at the feet of Jesus, and become as a little child, led 
by the silken cord of love. 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 105 

May 16, 1829, the merchant and his wife being about to 
leave the station, the elder sisters in the church engaged 
Miss Q. to write for them a joint letter to the daughter of their 
old Pastor, each m turn dictating a few sentences. These 
scraps are interestmg as they show in what direction the 
current of thought was setting at that time. " Sally," says 
one, " I am a sjDared monument of Divine Mercy. I am 
trying with all my might to serve the Lord, and I think I 
shall try as long as the Lord pleases to spare my life." — 
Mrs. C's proportion is all taken up in petitions for the for- 
giveness of her earthly and her heavenly friend, though for 
what, in particular, Mrs. Churchill did not know. " It is 
now two years," she says, " since I began anew." Another 
tells of her happiness in finding several of the youth 
inquiring after the Savior ; another still mourns the 
departure of their Pastor, " who" she says " was so good, 
and felt so much for their never-dying souls ;" and Mrs. M. 
breaks out with the exclamation — "I keep trying all the 
time!" The arrival of another band interrupted Miss 
Quinney, and she delivered the letter in an unfinished state 
to Mrs. S. who filled it out in Buffalo the next fall. It was 
then that she mentions the removal of the Hendrick and 
other families, the closing event in the history •f the Tribe 
in New Stockbridge. " The people," she adds, " have much 
improved since leaving New York. The church consists 
of about 40 members, most of whom walk worthy of their 
profession." Mrs. S. had taught in the family Mr. Miner. 
Miss Quinney taught the Indians during the summer months, 
having been educated at the school of Miss Royce in Clin- 
ton and at other places, and Mr. Ambler, a member of the 
mission family, taught them in the winter. 

— # — 
SECTION XXIV. 

NEW HOME ON LAKE WINNEBAGO. 

The settlement of the Indians was on the Fox River, 
about 22 miles from its entrance into the Bay. They had 
not been here long before the Government urged another 



106 STOCKBEIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

removal, as they were in the way of river improvements to 
be made upon the Fox. Accordingly, in 1833, another treaty 
was effected in which the Stockbridges received S2o,000, 
for their improvements, and two townships xipon the east 
side of Lake Winnebago, in exchange for their wild lands ; 
richer soil than that on the river. 

Here they lived in comparative peace until 1838, when 
a new emigration began to be agitated. This was beyond 
the Missouri River, on the tract reserved for the New 
York Indians. It was in this year, Jan. 15, that a treaty 
was made by Government, one stipulation of which was 
that the United States should pay co the New York Indi- 
ans S400,000 for their right to the Green Bay lands, and 
also convey to them 1,800,000 acres of new land beyond 
the State of IMissouri ; a treaty most favorable to the 
Ogden Land Company, and the one to effect which so 
many and such objectionable efforts had been put forth. 

The Government of the Stockbridge Tribe was at that 
time undergoing a change from that of Chiefs to Republi- 
canism ; old customs were to be renounced, and new ones 
adopted ; and many were found unwilling to come under 
new and more stringent laws. Accordingly, a company of 
some 70 oi^O individuals disposed of their lands to the tribe, 
and in 18oy started for the south-west. As a body, they 
were those who could well be spared ; and though no exact 
date of their removal has been obtained, it has been credi- 
bly reported that they started upon the Sahbath. They 
were allowed to settle temporarily upon the lands of the 
Delaware Indians, five miles beloAv Ft. Leavenworth, on 
the Missouri River. But diseases incidental to the climate 
have very much reduced them ; they have lost all then' old 
and less hardy persons, and in the spring of 1851 numbered 
only 25 or 30 soul§ ; and these sick of their southern enter- 
prise, and waiting only for the new treaty between Gov- 
ernment and the Tribe to be carried into effect, when they 
would be ready to return to their brethren, and submit to 
the new regulations. 

In 1812, a new trouble arose. "A disaffected party, 
backed by evil, designing whites, took it into their heads 
to become citizenized. They petitioned Congress, and be- 
fore a remonstrance from the majority and better portion of 
the tribe, could take effect, an Act was passed making the 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 107 

whole tribe citizens of the United States. Now the minority 
took the reins of govei'nment into their own hands, and 
attempted to rnle the majority. They appointed commis- 
sioners to apportion the lands which before had lain in 
common, only so far as they were needed for use by coming 
generations. Tribal moneys were expended, taxes were 
levied, and law-suits multijjlied ; and ere two years elapsed 
the tribe was deeply involved in troubles, and fast going to 
ruin. The loose and dissipated sold or mortgaged their 
lands for little ; valuable farms were sold for a quarter of 
a dollar per acre. To maintain law-suits, and to pay debts, 
the poor Avere comj^elled to mortgage or sell : the whole tribe 
could sue, or be sued : families were at variance with fam- 
ilies : church members could no longer meet as brethren :" 
and in this state matters remained until 1846, when Con- 
gress proposed another Act, repealing the citizenizing Act 
of 1843, and restoring the Indian portion to their former 
rights and customs. The disaffected pai'ty, 60 or 70 in 
number, of course did not submit ; and they still remain 
citizens of the United States, having all the civil rights 
of white citizens, though not always our privileges, and 
they are, by their own act, cut off from any rights peculiar 
to the tribe. "VNTiatever any Government may see fit to 
give to the Muh-he-ka-neew Nation, plainly, is not given to 
them. And this distinction between Indian Tribes, as 
such, and citizens of the United States, must be borne m 
mind, that we may rightly judge of a question which soon 
comes up in their history. 

It had been the wish of the Tribal part of the church, 
by far the majority of that body, either to repair their 
house of worship, or to erect a new one. Rev. J. Slinger- 
land, adopted son of Mr. Quinney, having received a The- 
ological education at Bangor, Me., had been laboring 
among them for some time, and after a journey to the east, 
was prepared to take the entire charge of them as Pastor. 
Being known in New England, and having friends in 
Stockbridge, he offered to present the case before the people 
of Berkshire, and solicit aid. About $300 in money was 
obtained, besides books for himself, and for his Sabbath 
School Library ; and unsolicited, a new bible was given for 
his pulpit, the donors being ignorant that in that respect they 
were well supplied. 



108 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

On his return, however, Mr. Slingerland found that 
peace was not restored, and the tribe were contemplating a 
new emigration to the country west of the Mississippi, 
that they might live quietly by themselves ; and the money 
was therefore, by mutual agreement, reserved for its legiti- 
mate use whenever they should 'again be settled. 

After the Act of 1848, resto^jing the laws and govern- 
ment of the tribe, they petitioned the New York Legisla- 
ture to share with them the profits made by the re-sale 
of their lands in that State. This the Legislature were 
not bound to do by any human law ; but abiding by that 
statute " As ye would that men should do to you, do ye 
even so to them," they " magnanimously," as Mr. Slinger- 
land expresses it, set apart for their use one half, being a 
sum of $40,000, the interest of which is to be applied to 
the support of the Gospel and of schools in the tribe, and 
for the promotion of agriculture, mechanics, and whatever 
else is for the public good. Of course no citizen of the 
United States has any claim to this bounty, sought, and 
obtained, by a Govei-nment, from our very birth dis- 
tinct from us. Yet when the Indian citizens of Wisconsin, 
who had once belonged to the Muh-he-ka-neew tribe heard 
of it, they immediately laid claim to it as members of the body 
to whom it was given, and a deputation was sent to Albany 
in 1851, two years after the passage of the Act, to 
obtain its alteration or repeal. Three months were spent in 
fruitless efforts, during which time they visited Stockbridge, 
and endeavored to recover some portion of the old soil. * 
(Also, see Appendix, F.) 

During their residence in Wisconsin the Lidians have 
received the stated ministrations of the Gospel; and, says 
one of their missionaries, " I have been well acquainted 
with the early settlements of the whites in Wisconsin and 
Illinois, yet never knew a people who in their early settle- 



*Note. The land which the tribe as well as the citizens 
are desirous to reclaim, lies in the south east part of the 
county, and is said never to have been sold by them, but 
leased for a term of years, which term has expired. They have 
made many efforts to find the lease, but in vain. 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 109 

ment manifested such attachment to the institutions of reli- 
gion. It has never been our privilege to dwell with a peo- 
ple so distinguished for this, and so moral. The Sabbath 
was universally kept sacred ; meetings on that and on other 
days were well attended ; intoxicating liquors were prohi- 
bited from being brought upon their lands ; the women had 
stated meetings for prayer, besides the Maternal Associa- 
tion, and a meeting for improvement in sewing, &c. Fast 
and Thanksgiving days were always observed as in New 
England. The men lived upon their farms and regarded 
hunting and fisliing as uncertain employment. A church 
member who sought direction from his Bible once said to 
me — " I thought about going a hunting; I thought of 
Esau ; may be I come home hungry." The rifle was laid 
up and he went to his field. The Word of God was stud- 
ied much, and with reverence. Every family could read 
it. Great respect was had for their religious teachers. — 
There are many incidents connected with our labors among 
them which we love to recall ; and we often felt, that could 
those who in days past had labored to teach them the Gos- 
pel, have anticipated the happy i-esults, it would have made 
their toils and trials light indeed." 

Rev. Jesse Miner was the first missionary to these Indians 
after their removal from New York. He visited Green 
Bay in 1827, and in 1828 received a regular appointment 
as Missionary from the American Board, and removed 
with his family to the station. His house stood near the 
Fox River, 18 miles above Green Bay. But death closed 
his labors in about one year after his settlement ; not, how- 
ever, until the Spirit had set sevei-al seals to his ministry. 
Mr. Ambler also, the teacher who has been mentioned, was 
obliged the next year to leave on account of ill health, and 
died in a few months at one of the Ciioctaw Missions. In 
1829 Mr. Jedediah Stevens and wife were sent by the 
Board as teachers, and the same year Rev. Cutting Marsh 
was appointed as Pastor, the £50 being still sent annually to 
tlie Board from Scotland, for the maintenance of the mis- 
sion. Mr. Stephens and family remained but a few years ; 
and after his departure he was ordained as a minister, and 
still labors in Wisconsin as a Home Missionary. In 1834 
Rev Chauncey Hall, from whom the religious history of 
the tribe in Wisconsin is chiefly obtained, joined the Mis- 
6 



110 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

sion with his wife, having previously been connected with 
the Mackinaw Mission. This was just as the Indians were 
removing from Grand Kakalin, on the east side of Fox 
River, to a new tract on the east af Winnebago Lake. — 
That year Mr. Marsh was, at tlie request of the cliurch, 
appointed by the American Board to accompany a deputa- 
tion to visit the Sacs and Foxes west of the Mississippi, 
as tliey wished to make it a missionary visit, and one wliich 
would promote the objects of the Board. They desired 
permission also, to promise their brethren a missionary. At 
the same time Dr. Williamson was sent by the Society to 
examine as to the feasibility of establishing a mission in 
that region. Mr. Kingsbury and Mr. Byington, from a 
southern station, were also on a tour to the north-west, and 
by mutual information and council they formed the plan of 
the Dakota Mission. The circumstance is mentioned in the 
History of that Mission, published by the S. S. Union, and an 
account of the interview by Mr. B. has been likewise published 
Till re, so far from the land of their nainnty, he and John 
Metoxin met as soldiers of the Cross, both out as scouts in 
the enemy's country, and together they observed the 
Monthly Concert of Prayer. 

But to return to Winnebago. A few trees were cut 
down, and temporary cabins erected, and then the families 
of the Indians, together with Mr. and Mrs. Hall, removed 
thither. In a few weeks Mr. Hall's house was so far com- 
pleted that meetings could be held in it ; and soon after 
the return of the delegation, the church assembled in his 
" upper room," and there commemorated the dying love of 
the Saviour. "It was," says Mr. Hall, "an interesting 
season. In that wilderness, so far from their early home, 
to be tlu< assevib'ed, and on such an uccasimi. Did not 
the sainted spirits of their early teachers rejoice over such 
a scene." A church was soon erected, $580 having 
been subscribed for that object. Mr. Hall mentions one 
individual whom he found on going to reside at Green Bay, 
whose history was peculiarly interesting to him. " The 
tribe," he observes, " left New England to pass through 
trials and temptations. Had not the truths of the Gospel 
taken deep root in their hearts, they would have been 
destroyed by the unhappy influences around them. I 
lived in my early years, near their home in New York. — 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. Ill 

They "vvere most unhappily exposed to temptation in intoxi- 
cation. Their young men perished from its effects. Pro- 
fessing christians, and those too who had a respectable 
standing in the church, dealt out the poison to them. Sad 
scenes were the result. A party of young men intoxicated, 
once came to my father's dwelling, broke in our windows, 
and threatened our lives ; and with the greatest difficulty 
my father kept them from entering the house until I ran 
half a mile for aid, and our neighbors came to our relief. — - 
When I went to Green Bay I found the man who was the 
principal actor in that scene, a humble christian, and he 
had beenfor several years a leading man in the temperance 
reform." With what feelings of joy, gi'atitude and adoring 
love, must he have sat down to the communion table with 
that trophy of the Cross ! and he lets us as Stockbridgeans 
into a portion of his joy, when he adds — " That this man 
was was saved from ruin, we may ascribe to the blessing 
of God on the efforts of that christian church formed by 
the early missionaries." 

Once Avhile residing here, Mr. H. had occasion to call 
upon an Indian before daylight, and obtain his company in 
a trip across the Lake. The family were all still in bed 
when they left ; but the father did not enter upon the du- 
ties of the day without enjoying, upon his knees, the accus- 
tomed season of morning devotion. After the death of 
Mr. Mmer, there was no season of special refreshing in 
the New Stockbridge Church until the winter of 1836, and 
7. First then was poured upon them " a spirit of grace 
and of supplication 2i,\idi a. deep feeling for the somZs of their 
children. Then prayer was answered, and efforts were 
crowned with success. Many gave evidence of true repent- 
ance and faith, and enlisted under tlie banner of Jesus. — 
This was the season of the conversion of Mr., S. their pres- 
ent pastor. 

In 1837, in consequence of the embarassments of the 
American Board, Mr. and Mrs. Hall left New Stockbridge, 
and establised a school near the Bay, and thus supported 
themselves, while at the same time they could still benefit 
the Indians. But from this post also, ill health obliged 
them to retire in a few years ; and Mr. H. now resides in 
Utica, being supported by the churches in that city, and 
commissioned by the American Tract Society to labor in des- 



112 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

titute portions of that county and among the boatmen. Mr. 
Marsh remained at New Stockbridge until the return of 
Mr. Slingerland from the east in the autumn of 1849, when 
he resigned the pastoral charge to him. 

Mr. S. labors diligently, both for the temporal and spirit- 
ual welfai^e of his people, and even his enemies, it would 
seem, " find no evil thing to say of him." In his absence 
upon public business, they employ a white pastor. 

Some 18 or 20" years since, the Rev. Walter Colton 
visited the Stockbridge Indians, and in his published 
" Travels" commented at considerable length upon their 
reverence for the bibles given by Dr. Ayscough, carefully 
preserved in all their wanderings, and still used in their 
worshij). A German Stadtholder, 90 years of age, into 
whose hands the work of Mr. Colton fell, was equally de- 
lighted with the fact, and immediately ordered from Lon- 
don 12 of the most splendid bibles which could be procured, 
with permission to the Indians that they should if they 
wished, share them with other tribes. The bibles were duly 
received, a few were given away, and the others are kept 
for the use of the aged in church. A long addi'ess was 
written in each by the donor. 

The settlement on the Lake is eight miles long, and four 
wide. It is chiefly divided into farms, on which are built 
houses, generally of logs ; the unsettled state of the Tribe 
having prevented that attention to architecture which 
might have been expected in more favorable circum- 
stances. These houses are, however, comfortably finish- 
ed, and well furnished in " European style ;" and in some 
respects they have more of the air of comfort than is usu- 
ally found among wCvStern people, seeming to betoken the 
Yankee origin of their owners. Fruit is little cultivated ; 
for the Poor Indian cannot hope to remain long enough on 
one spot to sit under his own vine and fig-tree. The foot 
of the white man presses upon him, and he must take up 
his line of march towards the setting sun, leaving all that 
he has planted for the stranger. " Ye shall plant, and 
another shall eat," is poor encouragement for the horticul- 
turist, unless he has a larger share of benevolence than is 
usually developed in the human character. The school- 
houses of the Indians are, like their own dwellings, of logs. 
They consist of one room ; their own language has gone 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 113 

very nearly out of use for want of a native literature, and 
the English only is taught. The pupils study Grammar, 
Arithmetic, Geography, Natural Philosophy, &c. 

At present they have no newspaper of their own, but are 
subscribers to those published by whites. They have, 
howevei", the prospect of receiving a newspaper Editor and 
Printer from the Cherokee Nation, who has married a dis- 
tinguished Muh-he-ka-neew woman ; and if so, he will es- 
tablish a pjy:)er as soon as circumstances will permit. 

LiMay,'l851, the Tribe, including the little band in 
Missouri, numbered 235. Those who had become citizen- 
ized were 71. The Temperance cause still flourished, 
though individuals were found who had not renounced the 
poisonous cup. The Sabbath was better observed by the 
Indians than by the whites settled among them. The Sab- 
bath School varies from thirty to eighty in the number of 
its attendants, and is conducted by themselves. The 
Monthly Concert, the Maternal Association, and one or 
two weekly meetings were sustained. The Maternal Asso- 
ciation was formed about twenty years since, and Mrs. 
Hall mentions two mothers Avho walked miles to attend its 
meetings, one on her crutches, and the other with an infant 
at her back. A Bible Society has been for several years 
in operation, and many of the Tribe have made themselves 
Life Members. The Officers of Government were John 
W. Quinney, Sachem — elected for three years ; Joseph M. 
Quinney, John P. Quinney, Peter D. Littleman, John Yo- 
cum, and John Slingerland, Counsellors — chosen for one 
year ; and two Path-Masters, two Peace-Makers, one 
Sheriff, and one Treasurer. In 1852, the present year, 
Joseph Quinney holds the office of Sachem. 

The character of the Tribe, as given by the Green Bay 
Advertiser in 1849, is that of intelligent people, as good 
farmers as any in the State, generally members of some 
.religious denomination, and desu-ed as neighbors by the 
people among whom they go, and it wishes them " success 
in their new home." 

Others, who have had opportunity to make observations 
during the past summer, (that of 1851,) bear a similar tes- 
timony. 



114 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT: 



SECTION XXV 



LAST REMOVAL. — MINNESOTA. 

It has been observed that the Indians, in 1848, found a 
new remove to be necessary, before they couki quietly en- 
joy their own laws. A Treaty was effected with the Uni- 
ted States during the autumn of that year, in which our 
Government agree to pay the Tribe S33,000 for their wild 
lands in Wisconsin, and SI 4,500 for their improvements, 
S20,000 in ten annual installments, and two townships of 
good teild land in Minnesota, of their own selection. To 
this they are to be removed at the expense of Government, 
two years being given them in which to make the change ; 
and while in Wisconsm they have the use of everything 
sold, as if all was still their own. They are also to be 
subsisted at Governmental expense one year after their ar- 
rival. An exploring expedition visited the country during 
the summer of 1849, consisting of Mr. Slingerland, Aus- 
tin E. Quinney, Elisha and Joel Konkapot, and Moses, 
Charles, and Thomas Snake, and the situation selected was 
one at the mouth of VermilHon Eiver. Mr. Bruce, the 
Sub-Indian-Agent, arrived at Stockbridge at the close of 
the summer, and in " a day or two" they were all paid. 
As however, the land belonged to the Dakotas, they could 
not immediately remove. During the summer of 1851, a 
" great Treaty" was made by the United States with that 
Tribe at Traverse de Sioux, by which our Government ob- 
tained 21,000,000 acres of excellent land, out of which the 
Muh-he-ka-ne-ok are to be supplied. Three of the tribe 
attended the treaty, and unexpectedly, but to the gratifica- 
tion of both parties, met there two individuals from Stock- 
bridge who had valuable letters of introduction to Colonel 
Lea, the Commissioner, and bespoke his special favor in 
behalf of the Stockbridge Lidians. They speak in high 
terms of those whom they met, and describe the astonish- 
ment of the still savage Indians when they saw those of 
their own race associating on terms of equality with the 



OR, RECORDS OF AK OLD MISSION STATION. 115 

whites, and, in every respect, save color, strictly resem- 
bling them ; and none of our own pale blood were more 
disgusted with the squalid barbarism of the Dakotas, than 
were the ]\Iuh-he-ka-neew Indians. A letter published in 
the New York Observer in 1830, is to the point Ittrr, not 
less than when we were speaking of the treaties of that 
period. It was written by an American who attended the 
Council held at Green Bay, August 24:th, and onward, of 
that year. After speaking of the other tribes present, the 
members of which were sitting, standing, lying about, un- 
washed, uncombed, and often in a state of nudity, he says : 
" But there was another group, called Indians, sitting by 
themselves, whose dress, manners, countenance, and whole 
appearance exhibited all the decencies of common civil- 
ized life. They looked and acted like men, who respected 
themselves, and would be respected by others. Their 
presence and demeanor would not have been unsuited to 
any grave parliamentary assembly. These were the New 
York Indians. I had often seen them at their own villa- 
ges in the State of New York, but I had never known how 
to respect them before ; and during the whole session of 
the council, a period of eight days, they rose higher and 
higher, and their wild brethren sunk deeper and deeper, by 
comparison. The difference was wider than would appear 
between the highest rank, and the meanest class in Eu- 
rope. I have found it a refuge, and a luxury, to fall into 
the society of the Chiefs and principal men of the New 
York Indians. Among them, I could be sure of exemp- 
tion from anything vulgar, profane, indecent, or intempe- 
rate." 

After this testimony to the happy results of missionary 
labor, the writer speaks of a speech delivered by " John 
Metoxin to the Menomenies and Winnebagos, and also to 
the Commissioners, on the last day of the council," which 
had accomplished nothing. This he calls " most sublime 
and touching, and in its respect and delicacy towards the 
feelings of all concerned, unrivalled." " Metoxin," says 
he, " is about sixty years of age, an exemplary Christian, 
of uncommon meekness, and a chief ruler in the civil and 
religious concerns of his tribe. By his language and man- 
ner, he first brought us all into the presence of God, so 
that we felt ourselves to be there. He then appealed to 



116 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

the solemn engagements between the New York Indians 
on the one hand, and the Menomenies and Winnebagos on 
the other ; he called the Commissioners to Avitness the re- 
peated and solemn pledges of govei-nment to secure the 
fulfilment of these engagements ; he depicted the unfor- 
tunate progress and result of the present council ; with in- 
imitable delicacy, and with becoming manliness, he feel- 
ingly confessed his diffidence in the present measures of 
government relating to this affair ; solemnly declared that 
his only confidence now rested in the God of nations, who 
had propounded himself the guardian of the oppressed, 
and the avenger of their Avrongs ; and whatever might be- 
come of himself, his family, and his people, he felt that it 
was now his last and only prerogative, to surrender their 
cause into the hands of this God. " Gud is witness ;" said 
he, lifting up his eyes to heaven ; " Brothers, I have no 
more to say." And with this, the public deliberations ter- 
minated, and the council was dissolved." 

Since the foregoing history was written, a Memorial has 
been received, presented to Congress April 12, 1852, by' 
John W. Quinney, which throws light upon several peri- 
ods, and contains new and valuable infoi'mation. The 
reader will find the substance of this document in the Ap- 
pendix under the division (G.) 

Mr. Quinney, having been moved with the Tribe twice, 
and much employed by them on public business which has 
kept him from home, in all, five years and some months, 
and taken him nine times to Washington, wishes to be al- 
lowed to spend the remainder of his days in Wisconsin ; 
and, though opposed from principle to the citizenization of 
the whole Tribe, yet, as he Avill thus lose the protection of 
lhii> laws, and be a community by himself, he wishes ta 
be admitted as a citizen of the Union. He also prays that 
the Tribe may be permitted to remunerate, in a degree, 
his many services by allowing him a portion of what h& 
has obtained for them as a Natioia. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 117 



SECTION XXVI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF INDIANS. 

CAPT. JOHN KONKAPOT AND FAMILY. 

The character of Capt. Konkapot has been often brought 
out in the preceding annals. His influence as a founder of 
the Mission here will not be limited to this world, but ex \ 
tend to the ages of eternity, a happy, happy eternity to 
him. He was the second member of this church, and 
wore well under all circumstances. Such was the influ- 
ence of this mission upon other tribes, that the French 
Papists of Canada, while they sedulously shut out the light 
from their own countrymen, were compelled to open schools 
for the Indians, to prevent their secession to the English. 
Certainly a more flitting memorial should be preserved of 
Capt. Konkapot than the sluggish, filthy stream which once 
bore his name, but is Jioio called " Konks," and even, by 
strangers, " Skunk's Brook." Its Indian name is Se-po- 
sah, or perhaps more propei'ly Se-poe-se, which means 
Little River. May it not again be known by that ? and 
the name of the noble Indian, whose heart gathered green- 
ness even amid the frosts and snows of heathenism, be per- 
petuated by the evergreen hill to the south ? 

The wife of Capt. Konkapot died of consumption, March 
29, 1741, having enjoyed "during her sickness a good 
hope, through grace, of a happy eternity." 

Catharine Konkapot died in January 1746, " hope rais- 
ing her above the fears of death." John received a public 
education, and his son John was educated by the Moravi- 
ans. Jacob was a prosperous farmer in New York State, 
employing white laborers in his work. Soon after the re- 
moval to Green Bay, he built a large mill ; and while em- 
ployed alone in the woods, received a wound of which he 
died. Both Jacob, and his son Robert, were distinguished 
in the tribe. 

6* 



118 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 



CAPT. NIMHAM S FAMILY. 

The death of the father and son at "White Plains has 
been mentioned. The widow lived to an advanced age, 
and used to express her fear that her Heavenly Father 
had forgotten her, and would leave her to live always. 
After her death, her daughter Lucretia, a woman distin- 
guished for her beauty, and for her goodness, married Ja- 
cob Konkapot. She was his second wife, and had no chil- 
di-en. On her death-bed she made her will, and then said 
that she had " nothing to do but to die." Her death was 
triumphant. Mr. Parmelee, who was with her, observed 
that he never saw any one else so happy in the prospect 
of dissolution. 

LIEUT. UMPACHENEE AND WIFE. 

Lieut. Umpachenee, a man of clear, deep intellect, and 
pleasant humor, was, in early life, addicted to intempe- 
rance, and was overtaken once in this fault soon after his 
baptism. Again, later in life, he fell into sin, and for near- 
ly two years gave the church much trouble. But he 
seemed at length to be humbled, and continued to walk 
worthy of his profession until his death, which occurred 
before that of his pastor. His wife was the daughter of 
E-to-wau-kaum, a distinguished chief, who visited England 
in the days of Queen Anne. She died July 14, 1741, 
" with a comfortable hope, spending her last moments in 
exhorting her husband and children to godliness." Mr. 
Sergeant often spoke of her as a virtuous, and valuable 
woman ; and she expressed herself " content to die, hoping 
by that means to be free from sin which was now her bur- 
den." If life were to be continued, she dreaded its temp- 
tations. This family is now known by the name of Au- 
pauchinau. 

THE QUINNEY FAMILY. 

This family seems to have been more distinguished 
during the whole course of their history as Stockbridge 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 119 

Indians, than any other. First, there was Joseph Quin- 
ney, son of John Quinney, who declined the office of Cliief 
Sachem in 1777, " a very modest, unassuming, sensible 
man," and his wife, spoken of as a " venerable, good wo- 
man." After them were Dea. Joseph Quinney, John W. 
Quinney, born in 1797, and educated at York Town, West 
Chester County, New York, under governmental patron- 
age ; Lydia Quinney, (the wife of Capt. Hendrick Aupau- 
mut,) who distinguished herself in the affair of the church 
edifice at New Stockbridge, New York, of whom Mr. Hall 
writes — " She was a godly woman. Few such mothers in 
Israel bless our Churches ;" Jane Quinney, the wife of 
Andrew Miller, and mother of Mrs. John Metoxin ; Eliz- 
abeth Quinney, the wife of Jacob Seth ; Catharine Quin- 
ney, the wife of Solomon Aupaumut ; " a woman of pecu- 
liar sweetness of temper ;" and Eve Quinney, the name of 
whose husband we are unable to give. Also Electa Quin- 
ney, who first married a Methodist Clergyman, a Mohawk, 
but at the time of their marriage, missionary to the Onei- 
das. Afterwards he removed to the west, and became 
pastor to a band of Senecas. " He was an intelligent and 
pious man." His name was Daniel Adams. After his 
death, Mrs. Adams became the wife of a Cherokee Editor, 
who has engaged to return with his wife to her own peo- 
ple, provided he can pursue his vocation among them. 
This will probably lead to the establishment of a newspa- 
per of their own. The mother of these was a daughter of 
David Nau-nau-neek-nuk. The two Mrs. Aupaumuts, and 
Mrs. Seth, were the principal women in the Tribe while 
in New York. John Metoxin has held both offices, that 
of Chief, and that of Deacon. He is still living. 

THE AUPAUMUT FAMILY. 

Capt. Hendrick Aupaumut, according to a commoti cus- 
tom in the Tribe, dropped the Indian name, Aupaumut, 
and was known as Capt. Hendrick. Since then, H'ndrick 
has been the Sur-name of the family. He never professed 
religion it would seem, but he appeared to po^sr.ss it, and 
was ever the firm friend of its institutions and its ministers. 
In personal appearance, " his gait," says one, " and his de- 
meanor, appeared like royalty." He was truly eloquent, 



120 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

and by this, and his authority alone, he was able to con- 
quer. He was often employed as interpreter ; and in this 
capacity his " strong memory, his clear, lucid manner, and 
his mind illumined face," as he conveyed the thoughts of a 
preacher to his people, are highly praised. His public 
speeches are spoken of as " always remarkable for per- 
spicuity and sound sense." '' I have," says our infoi-mant, 
" seen many Indian Chiefs, but never his equal." 

In 1810, Capt. Hendrick was on tli« White River, with 
his son Abner, and designed to have settled on the land 
given the Stockbridges by the Miamis. He formed the 
plan of collecting all the eastern Indians in that region, 
where they might live in peace with the whites, and in 
fellowship with each other, and, he hoped, be no farther 
wasted. He had sent a speech to his people upon the sub- 
ject in 1809, and was waiting anxiously for a reply. "I 
think," says he, " a kind Providence blesses the means for 
so desirable an end. I often wish to be at home, to see 
what my people are doing ; that is, when my weakness 
overpowers for some anxious care for our National business 
at home, lest they hasten to destruction of our National honor 
and prosperity, as well as our existence. But when I con- 
sider the promises of the Great and Good Spirit, then I 
would cheerfully cast all my care upon him." 

It was at this time that Tecumseh, and his brother, the 
Prophet, were plotting against our government. The 
Prophet had been sending forth his " divine" instructions 
since early in 1806, forbidding witchcraft, intemperance, 
and other vices, but forbidding also the christian forms of 
worship. His followers were numerous, and widely scat- 
tered from New York to the Mississippi River, and sev- 
eral persons had been put to death for nonconformity. 
The opinion of the Shawanoes was, that the Lord of Life 
had created their nation from his brains, and given to them 
his wisdom ; that this being forfeited by vice, the Ameri- 
cans, who were created from his hands, had received it, 
and not content, were either taking the lands of the In- 
dians by force, or purchasing them with goods not truly 
theirs, because manufactured with borrower/ skill. By re- 
formation it was believed that they might regain a right to 
all the " Long Knives" possessed ; and being provoked by 
repeated injuries, the followers of the Chieftain and the 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 121 

Prophet were resolved to unite all in a league wliich sliould 
fqrever put an end to pale faced aggression. 

Here then was another temptation to Capt. Hendrick. 
The plan of union was in some respects similar to his own, 
and there was much in the noble nature of Tecumseh to 
win, and in the cunning of the Prophet to entrap. But 
he loved the white man who had brought the Gospel to his 
people, he loved its transforming influence upon them, and 
Ave must believe he loved Him whose Gospel it was that 
brought " life and immortality to light ;" and, burying all 
the wrongs of his race in the bottom of the sea, he united, 
with all the characteristic ardor of his nature, in the cause 
of America. In this he was joined by the Dclawares, a 
proof that the Gospel is the cheapest, and most powerful 
armament which a nation can employ against its barbarous 
foes. 

Every thing was done to keep back the Indians from the 
alliance of the brothers, which the peace party were able 
to effect, as well as to restrain and dissuade the leadei'S ; 
and Mr. Sergeant, in a letter to the Commissioners says — 
" It appears that through the judicious arrangements of 
Capt. Hendrick, the influence of the Prophet is nearly at 
an end." Capt. Hendrick himself says that the head men 
of the various tribes do not join him, but only the ignorant 
and uuAvary ; that the Message of the Delawares had al- 
ready shut his mouth, and he believed that in the course 
of the next summer he would " be brought down from the 
Wabash, to the ground from which his ancestors were cre- 
ated." And so it proved. We find nothing in the pub- 
lished histories of those times respecting Capt. Hendrick ; 
but we do find that the fatal battle of Tippecanoe was haz- 
arded, because the already waning power of the Prophet 
required some desperate act ; and the eloquence of Capt. 
Hendrick, his influence as a Muh-he-ka-neew Chief with 
the western Indians, and the information communicated by 
Mr. Sergeant, take us " behind the scenes," and show us 
at least one great cause of that waning. All due honor 
to the Hero of Tippecanoe ; but let not the faithful Stock- 
bridge Indian, who, by sapping and mining, prepared the 
wail for that victory, be forgotten. 

War with England was soon declared. Tecumseh had 
evidently been encouraged by the British, and he joined 



122 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT : 

their forces, and fell at tlie battle of the Thames, October 
5, 1813. The Prophet retired west of the Mississippi, and 
lived upon a pension from Great Britain, until 1834. 
Capt. Hendrick joined the American army, was favorably 
noticed, and promoted to office. Afterward he returned to 
New York, and was one of the last to remove to Green 
Bay. 

When Capt. Hendrick became infirm, Solomon, his 
youngest son, was appointed to succeed him, a youth of 
great promise. But he soon died, and was succeeded by 
John Metoxin. John, another son, much beloved, the 
chorister, and at one time, the Town Clerk, was murdered 
by Anthony, an Oneida, who had murdered six persons, 
including his own child. It was not long, we believe, be- 
fore the removal of the tribe, and when they had not suf- 
ficient force to take the murderer. But the whites came 
to their help ; and having seized, delivered him up to the 
Indians, who tried, and executed him. 

SAMPSON OCCUM. 

He was born at Mohegan, on the Thames, about the year 
1723, of heathen parents, but obtained a little knowledge 
of reading. In 1739 and 1740, dui'ing a revival of relig- 
ion, efforts were made for the salvation of the Indians, and 
young Occum became a subject of renewing grace. He 
soon learned to read, and having spent four years at the 
Lebanon School, he went to Long Island, and instructed 
the Montauk and Skenecoke Indians. Many of the Mon- 
tauks were hopefully converted through his instrumental- 
ity. He lived in a log hut, and supported himself by 
binding old books for people in East Hampton, making 
wooden spoons, buckets, churns, &c.. In 1759 he was or- 
dained by the Suffolk Presbytery, and in 1766 was sent to 
England with Mr. Whitaker, minister of Norwich, to ob- 
tain funds for the endowment of Dartmouth College. He 
was the first Indian who had ever preached in that coun- 
try, and he was everywhere received with enthusiasm. 
The funds were raised, Lebanon School was removed to 
Hanover, and became a College. Occum returned in 
1767, and resided generally at Mohegan with his family, 
until 1786, when he removed to Oneida with the remnants 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION- 123 

of various tribes, and settled near New Stockbridge. They 
were called Brother Town Indians, from their peculiar for- 
mation as a Tribe. The last year of his life was spent at 
New Stockbridge. He died July, 1792, aged 69. The 
Brothertowns removed to Green Bay, and again settled 
near the Stockbridge Indians, but have now become citi- 
zenized, and will not probably remove with them to Min- 
nesota. 



SECTION XXVIT. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

INDIVIDUALS PARTICULARLY ENGAGED IN ESTABLISHING AND SUS- 
TAINING THE STOCKBRIDGE MISSION. 

REV. SAMUEL HOPKINS. 

"We have examined the Building ; and those who have 
been interested in watching its rise, will not be wninterested 
in the character and fate of its Builil rs. And among them 
Mr. Hopkins stands pre-eminent. He was born in Water- 
bury, Connecticut, and is supposed to have descended from 
Edward Hopkins, Esq., one of the early Governors of Con- 
necticut Colony. His father was a man of exemplary 
piety, and died in 1732. Samuel graduated at Yale in 
1718, and was married, June 28, 1727, to Miss Esther Ed- 
wards of East Windsor, sister of the elder President E. 
In January, 1720, he had received a call to settle in the 
ministry at West Springfield, as second pastor, which he 
accepted, and his Ordination took place the first day of 
June of the same year. There he continued to labor, es- 
teemed as eminently prudent and faithful, until his sudden 
death, October 6, 1755, at the age of 61. During this 
time, besides corresponding extensively with distinguished 
clergymen, he wrote fifteen hundred sermons, and com- 
piled, and published the records of the Housatonic Mission, 
with historical and biographical additions from his own 



124 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

pen. His people inscribed his epitaph, which commemo- 
rates his " sound judgment, soUd learning, candor, piety, 
sincerity, constancy, and universal benevolence." 

REV. NEHEMIAH BULL. 

Mr. Bull graduated at Yale College in 1823, and during 
the winter of 1724 and '5, taught School in Westfield. In 
February, the Town voted to hire him one half of the 
Sabbath as assistant to Mr. Taylor, their much esteemed 
pastor, and allow him Friday and Saturday to prepare ; 
his school duties to be performed on the other four days of 
the week as before. At the close of his school, he was 
hired to preach half of the time for six months ; and in 
October 1726 he was ordained as pastor, having again 
opened his school, and he continued preaching and teach- 
ing through the season. He was married in February, 
1728, to Miss Elizabeth Partridge of Hatfield, and died 
April 12, 1740, aged 38. His children were William, 
John P., Justin, Elizabeth, Oliver, and Nehemiah. As the 
founder of our Church, his name stands next in our history, 
to that of Mr. Hopkins. In his own parish he seems to 
have labored acceptably, and with success, though a few 
individuals became dissatisfied a short time before his 
death. One of the last records which he entered on the 
Church Books was that of a meeting for the adjustment of 
these difficulties. The number of persons admitted to the 
church by him was 226. His native place is believed to 
be on Long Island. 

REV. BENJAMIN COLMAN, D. D. 

Dr. Colman was born in Boston, October 19, 1673, and 
graduated at Cambridge in 1692. He preached a short 
time in America, and then sailed for England, but was 
taken prisoner by a French privateer, and, having been 
clothed in rags, was thrust into the hold. On reachi»g 
France, he sjient a little money which he had secreted, in 
procurmg decent raiment ; and being soon liberated, by 
exchange of prisoners, he proceeded to England. There 
he Avas the associate of Howe, Calamy, Mrs. Rowe, and 
others of a kindred spirit. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 125 

He preached in Cambridge, and in Bath ; but about the 
year 1698, was invited to return and become pastor of the 
new church, who were building their house of worship in 
Brattle street. The views and practice of this church dif- 
fered somewhat from others in New England, being more 
inclined to the Episcopal body in their mode of woi'ship, 
and the admission of members. Fearing objections on 
this side of the water, the church desired Dr. Colman to 
be ordained before his return ; and the ceremony took place 
in London, August 11, 1699. He aiTived in this country 
November 1, and opened the new church December 24. 

In 1721: or 5, Dr. Colman was chosen to the Presidency 
of Harvard, but declined the office. He died August 29, 
1747, aged 73. 

In doctrine. Dr. Colman was strictly orthodox, and dwelt 
much in his preaching upon the Deity, and vicarious suf- 
ferings of Christ ; but upon the subject of church fellow- 
ship, he differed from the orthodox congregationalists of 
the present day. He was one of the earliest pastors of 
that denomination who considered all baptized persons as 
church members, and invited them to partake of the com- 
munion ; an innovation which settled dowai into the " Half 
way Covenant," or " Stoddardean Practice," and filled the 
Puritan churches with unregenerate persons. 

GOV. JONATHAN BELCHER. 

Governor Belcher was the son of one Andrew Belcher 
of Cambridge, and the grandson of another. His grand- 
mother was Anna, the daughter of Nicholas Danforth, a 
distinguished defender of the Puritans, and sister of Gov- 
ernor Danforth. Jonathan was born in 1681, and gradua- 
ted at Harvard in 1699. He traveled extensively in Eu- 
rope for the purpose of perfecting his education, and during 
the six years thus spent, maintained the consistency of his 
religious profession. The personal acquaintance formed 
during this tour with the Princess Sophia and her son, 
George Second, laid the foundation for his future honors. 
After his return, he settled as a merchant in Boston, but 
was sent to the Court of Great Britain in 1729, and in 
1730 succeeded Bui-nett in the government of Massachu- 
setts and New Hampshire, which office he held eleven 



126 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

years. His dismission was obtained by false accusations ; 
and having plead his own cause before the King, he was 
promised the first vacancy. This proved to be New Jer- 
sey, and he entered upon his duties there in 1747. He 
greatly promoted the peace and prosperity of the Colony, 
and did very much for the College. He died at Elizabeth 
Town, August 31, 1757, aged 76. 

COL. JOHN STODDARD. 

Colonel Stoddard was the son of Rev. Solomon Stod- 
dard of Northampton, and was born February 17,1682. 
He married Miss Prudence Chester of Wethersfield, and 
had six children — Mary, Prudence, Solomon, Esther, 
Israel, and Hannah. Pie was much engaged in public 
business, and had charge of the western frontier. He died 
June 19, 1748, while a member of the General Court. 

CAPTAIN KELLOG AND MRS. ASHLEY. 

Martin and Rebecca Kellog, the son and daughter of 
Martin Kellog, were, with their father, taken captive by 
the Indians, February 29, 1704, being then inhabitants of 
Deerfield. Another brother and sister were taken at the 
same time. Martin was born October 26, 1686, and Re- 
becca December 2, 1695. Martin married Dorothy Ches- 
ter, and settled in Newington, a parish of Wethersfield, 
where he died in November 1753, aged 67. Rebecca mar- 
ried Mr. Benjamin Ashley. She was frequently employed 
as interpreter by missionaries, and died at one of the In- 
dian towns, the same year that she left Stockbridge with 
Mr. Hawley. Captain Kellog " was remarkable for bodily 
strength, and firmness of mind," and endured the sufferings 
incident to various seasons of captivity. Both brother and 
sister possessed a good knowledge of the Indian languages. 

REV. GIDEON HAWLEY. 

Mr. Hawley was a native of Connecticut, and a gradu- 
ate of Yale College in 1749. He came to Stockbridge in 
February 1752, and not only taught, but preached to the 
foreign Indians. In May, 1753, he set out on a visit to 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 127 

the Oneidas, at Onohquaga, on the Susquehanna, and hav- 
ing obtained the patronage of Sir W. Johnson, established 
a mission there. But he was broken up by the French 
war, and enlisted as Chaplain to the Indians. He was or- 
dained at Boston, July 31, 1754, and returned to Stock- 
bridge immediately afterward. Subsequently he settled at 
Marshpee, 1758, where he died, October 3, 1807, aged 80. 

REV. WILLIAM WILLIAMS. 

Rev. William Williams of Hatfield, was another follower 
of the Half-way-Covenant practice, though he did not, like 
his sons, take up his pen in its defense. 

He was the son of Isaac, and grandson of Robert Wil- 
liams, and was born in Newton, February 2, 1G65. He 
graduated at Harvard in 1G83, and settled at Hatfield in 
1685, where he died, August 29, 1741. His first wife was 
a daughter of Dr. Cotton, and his second a daughter of 
Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton. It is a cui'ious 
circumstance, that this lady was the youngest daughter of 
the family, while his son, Rev. William Williams of West- 
on, married the eldest daughter. Mr. Williams was con- 
sidered by Dr. Chauncey to be a greater man than Mr. 
Stoddard. In deportment, he was " humble and conde- 
scending," says one, while at the same time, he " command- 
ed peculiar awe and respect." Among his sons may be 
mentioned Elisha, Rector of Yale for a time, but after- 
wards much employed in offices of trust, by Great Britian. 
Hon. William Williams, one of the Signers of the Declar- 
ation of Independence, was a grandson. 

REV. STEPHEN WILLIAMS, D. D, 

Dr. Williams, boiji May 14, 1693, was the great-grand- 
son of Robert, and the son of Rev. John Williams, the 
" Redeemed Captive." He was, himself, one of the cap- 
tives, and, being redeemed, returned to Boston, November 
21, 1705, He graduated at Harvard in 1713, and was or- 
dained as the first pastor of Long Meadow, October 17, 
1716, where he died, June 10, 1782, aged 88. His wife 
was Abigail, daughter of Rev. John Davenport of Stam- 
ford, Connecticut. They were married July 3, 1718, and 



128 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT,' 

had seven sons, all of whom followed their father to Ms 
grave. Dr. Williams served as Chaplain in three cam- 
paigns, and in that capacity was with Col. Ephi-aim Wil- 
liams at Lake George. 



— # — 
SECTION XXVIII. 

EARLY FAMILIES. 

The four families who settled here with Mr. Sergeant 
and Mr. Woodbridge, and a few who soon followed, may 
well receive, together with their immediate posterity, a par- 
ticular notice ; and in this genealogical era of the world, 
their ancestry, so far as it is known, must not be over- 
looked, 

TIMOTHY WOODBRIDGE, ESQ, AND FAMILY. 

The Woodbridges were descended from a line of pro- 
testant clergymen by the name of John Woodbridge, the 
first of whom was born about the time of the discovery of 
America, and the fifth of whom married the daughter of 
Rev. Robert Parker, and settled in Stanton, Wiltshire, 
England. Mr. Parker is called by Mather, " one of the 
greatest scholars hi the English Nation, and in some sort 
the father of all Nonconforaxists of our day." Besides 
Mrs. Woodbridge, he had a son, Rev. Thomas Parker, 
first pastor of Newbury, Massachusetts, a man greatly dis- 
tinguished for learning and piety, who died in April, 1677, 
aged about 81, and at least one daughter, the wife of IVIi'. 
Noyce, Puritan minister of Choulderton, Wiltshu-e, Eng- 
land. 

Both Mr. Woodbridge and his wife were much esteemed, 
and their son John imitated their virtues, and, like them, 
embraced the Puritan Faith. For this he was expelled 
from college, (Oxford,) and his uncle being then about to 
seek a home in the New World, he embarked with him, 
and arrived in Newbury in 1634. On the death of his 
father, about eight years afterwards, he went over to Eng- 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 129 

land, and having settled the estate, brought back his brother 
Benjamin, who became one of the first graduates of Har- 
vard, returned to England, succeeded Dr. Twiss at New- 
bury, m that country, and gained a high reputation for 
native talent, for learning and for piety ; but was ejected 
with the mass of Puritan Divines in 1662, after which he 
ministered more privately, until his death at Inglefield, 
November 1, 1684, Another brother left England with 
John W., but died during the passage. 

When the Woodbridges reached America, the town of 
Andover was newly settled, and John was ordained as one 
of its pastors, September 16, 1644. In 1647, howevex", he 
Avas induced to return once more to his native country, 
where, after actmg as Chaplain to the Commissioners, 
treating with the King at the Isle of "Wight, he was em- 
ployed at Andover first, and then at Burford, St. Martins, 
in Wiltshire. But in 1662, he also was ejected, and in 
1663 he came again to America, bringing with him his 
wife and twelve children. He was soon settled at New- 
bury, and when, some years afterward, he retired from the 
ministry, he was chosen as magistrate, and continued in 
public business until his death, March 17, 1695, when 
about the age of 82. His character for patience, forgive- 
ness, and other christian virtues, is rarely equaled. 

The wife of Mr. Woodbridge was Mercy Dudley, 
daughter of Thomas Dudley, Esq. She was born Sep- 
tember 27, 1621, came to America in 1630, was mari-ied in 
1641, and died July 1, 1691, and is spoken of as a very 
excellent woman. 

The Dudley family seem to have risen to power during 
the reign of Henry 7th, who conferred the title and estate 
of the Warwick family, then extinct, upon Edmond Dud- 
ley, a celebrated lawyer, and a Speaker in the House of 
Commons, born in 1442, and executed by request of the 
people, who hated liim, in 1510. John, his son, became 
Duke of Northumbei'land, and was the father of Ambrose 
.styled " The good Earl of Warwick," Lord Guilford, (the 
liusband of Lady Jane Grey,) Robert, (Earl of Leicester,) 
the favorite of Elizabeth, and Lord of Kenilworth Castle, 
and of several others. Northumberland was beheaded 
August 15, 1553, and with him Lord Guilford and Lady 
Jane. 



180 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT *, 

Captain Roger Dudley, who died in the service of 
his country, was of the same family, and of the same gen- 
eration with Northumberland, but how near of kin is not 
known. He left a daughter and a son, Thomas, who, after 
being educated in the family of Northampton, studied law 
with Judge Nichols, a relative, and commenced practice, 
but received a commission from Elizabeth, went for a time 
on to the Continent, and, after his return, married Dorothy 
, a lady of some distinction, and settled in the vicin- 
ity ot Northamton. There he became a christian, and a 
non-confoi"mist. Through the influence of Lord Say and 
Seal, Lord Compton and others, he was soon employed by 
the Earl of Lincoln as Steward, and, except that he re- 
moved to Boston, and sat for a short time under the minis- 
try of Dr. Cotton, Lincoln retained him in that office, and 
as his counsellor in all matters, until he sailed for the Mas- 
sachusetts Bay Colony, April 7, arriving at two o'clock on 
Saturday, June 12, 1630. He then held the office of 
Lieutenant Governor, and was afterwards repeatedly cho- 
sen to that office, and to that of Governor ; residing first 
at Cambridge, for a short time at Ipswich, but for the long- 
est period at Roxbury. Born in 1574, he died July 31, 
1653. His first wife died February 27, 1643, and previ- 
ous to 1 645 he married Katharine , who survived him. 

The children of the first wife were — 

Rev. Samuel, born 1606, married Mary, daughter of 
Governor Winthrop, settled at Exeter in 1650, died before 
March 20, 1683. His wife died at Salisbury, April 12, 
1643. 

Anne, a poet, and the wife of Governor Bradstreet, who 
died September 18, 1672. 

Patience, who married Major General Daniel Dennison. 

Mercy, Mrs. Woodbridge above mentioned, and 

Sarah, who married, first, Benjamin Keayne, and sec- 
ond, Pacy. Those of the second wife were — 

Deborah, born in Roxbury, February 27, 1645, and mar- 
ried to Wade. 

Joseph, (Governor,) born September 23, 1647, who mar- 
ried a daughter of Edward Tyng, and 

Paul, and two others. One daughter married a Mr. 
Page. 

Of the twelve children of John and Mercy Wood- 



OK, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 131 

BRIDGE, one died young, and three were ministers, viz., 
John, Timothy, and Btnjamin. 

Brtijamin settled first at Bi-istol, afterwards at Kittery, 
and died in Medford, January 15, 1710. He married 
Mary Ward of Haverhill. 

Tiinofhy, born about 1653, settled in Hartford in 1695, 
had three wives, and died, April 30, 1732 : great grand- 
father of the Geographer. 

John graduated in 1664, settled in Killingworth in 1666, 
and in Wethersfield in 1679, and died in 1692. His wife, 

Abigail , received a pension until 1701, probably the 

period of her death. Two daughters of the family married 
clergymen, and several grandsons entered the ministry. 

Among the children of John and Abigail Woodbridge 
were — Rev. Dudley Woodbridge, ordained in Simsbury, 
Connecticut, November 10, 1697, who married Dorothy 
Lamb of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and died August 3, 
1710. His widow married his successor, Timothy, son of 
Timothy of Hartford, and had several children. 

Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge, born June 25, 1680, who 
married Hannah Morgan, May 4, 1704, and settled in the 
ministry at Groton. 

Alary, who married the Rev. Mr. Ruggles of Sufiield. 

John, two years older than Ephraim, born in 1678, 
graduated in 1694, settled as the first pastor in West 
Springfield in 1698, and married, November 14, 1699, to 
Jemima Eliot. He died June 10, 1718. Esteemed for 
wisdom, learning and piety during his ministry, his death 
was felt to be a heavy blow to his ministerial brethren, as 
well as to his people. Mrs. Woodbridge survived him, 
and spent some of her last years with her sons, Joseph and 
Timothy, in Stockbridge. 

John Eliot, the Lidian Apostle, was the grandfather 
of Mrs. Woodbridge. He was born at Nasing, near Lon- 
don, England, in 1 604 ; assisted the distinguished Mr. 
Hooker as teacher in that country, was converted while in 
his family, led by his advice to enter the ministry, and 
finally he followed him into the western wilderness, arriv- 
ing November 3, 1631. He soon settled in Roxbury, hav- 
ing been selected by the people as their pastor while still 
in England, and Miss .^inne Mountfort, a lady about his 
own age, having joined him according to agreement, they 



182 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

were married in November, 1632. He commenced his la- 
bors among the Indians in 1646, delivering his first sermon 
in the hut of Waban on Nonantum hill, in Newton. The 
site is still known, and an oak is yet standing on the spot, 
which, from its size, may be supposed to have thrown its 
shadow upon the group assembled. 

Mr. Eliot established about twenty towns of " Praying 
Indians," fourteen of them of such distinction as to attract 
attention, framed for them a code of laws, formed churches, 
taught them the arts of civilized life, and translated for 
them the Holy Scriptures. In 1687, March 22, Mrs. El- 
iot died, and May 21, 1690, her husband followed her. 
Their children were — 

Anne, born September 13, 1633, an estimable woman, 
who remained with her parents during their life. 

Second, John, born August 31, 1636, died October 13, 
1668, pastor of Newton. Wives, Sarah , and Eliza- 
beth, daughters of Daniel Gookin, Esq., the historian. 

Third, Joseph, born December 20, 1638, the father of 
Mrs. Woodbridge. 

Fourth, Samuel, born June 22, 1641, who died while fit- 
ting for the ministry. He was eminent for talents and 
piety. 

Fifth, Aaron, born February 19, 1643, who died very 
young, but pious ; and. 

Sixth, Benjamin, born June 29, 1646, his father's mis- 
sionary assistant. Of these sons, only Joseph sui'vived his 
father. 

Joseph Eliot was graduated in 1658, and after preach- 
ing for a time in Northampton, was settled in Guilford, 
Connecticut, 1664, and married, first, Sarah, daughter of 
Governor William Brenton of Rhode Island. She died 
in Newport, in 1674, and Mr. Eliot, married second, Mary, 
daughter of Hon. Samuel Wyllys, (of Hartford,) and 
Ruth Haynes, his wife. E[e is sjioken of in history as 
" That burning and shining light," but his successful min- 
istry was closed by death. May 24, 1694, and his wife died 
October 11, 1729, aged 73. 

Samuel Wyllys died May 30, 1709 ; his daughter 
Mehitabel, married, first. Rev. Daniel Russell, of Charles- 
town, second. Rev. Isaac Foster of the first Church in 
Hartford, and it is said that a third husband was Rev. Tim- 
othy Woodbridge, his successor. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 133 

The father of Mr. Wyllys was Governor George 
\Y., who " left a fine estate in England for the Gos- 
pel's sake," and came to America in 1638. He brought 
over and planted on his estate in Hartford, the Apple-tree 
which still flourishes near the Charter Oak, that ground 
being a part of his form. By the order to hide the Char- 
ter, we find that the tree stood " in front of the dwelling 
of Hon. Samuel Wyllys," then one of the magistrates. 
George died in March, 1G41 ; Ifezekiah, his son, (Secre- 
tary Wyllys,) in 1734. The secretaryship descended from 
father to son, continuing in the fomily for 98 successive 
years. Samuel died May 30, 1709. His wife RutJi 
Hayncs, was daughter to John Haynes, from Essex 
County, England, who emigrated with Mr. Hooker in 
1633, and after holding the office of Governor in Massa- 
chusetts, assisted in founding the Colony of Connecticut. 
From 1639 to 1654, the date of his death, he was chosen 
Governor of Connecticut every alternate year, which was 
as often as the constitution would permit. Joseph, his son, 
succeeded Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, in the First Church 
of Hartford. 

Having thus given the parentage of Mrs. Joseph Eliot, 
we will return to her family, consisting of eight children, 
viz. : 

First, Mehifabel, born October 1, 1676, and married to 
William Wilson. She died April 19, 1723. 

Second, Anna, born December 12, 1677, who married 
Jonathan Law of Milford, December 20, 1698, and died 
November 16, 1703. Mr. Law was Judge of the Supreme 
Court, Chief Justice, Lieutenant Governor and Governor 
of Connecticut, and his sons and grandsons have also stood 
high in civil life. 

Third, Jemima, (Mrs -John Woodbridge of West Spring- 
field,) born in 1680. 

Fourth, Bashua, born in 1682, who married Augustus 
Lucas of Fairfield. 

Fifth, Jared, D. D., distinguished as a divine, a physi- 
cian and a natural philosopher, who settled at Killiiigworth, 
and died in 1763, leaving a large family. 

Sixth, Mary, born in 1687, and married first to Samuel 
Hart of Durham, second to Abraham Pierson of Clinton, 
7 



134 STOCKBKIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Ct., third to Richard Treat of Wethersfield, and fourth to 
Mr. Hooker. 

Seventh, Rebecca, born in 1G90, who married, tirst John 
Trowbridge, October 26, 1710, second Mr. Fiske, third 
Deacon William Dudley of North Guilford, December 18, 
1749. She died February 9, 1782; and 

Eighth, Obiel, wlao married Mary, daughter of John 
Leet of Guilford. 

We have now given the ancesii-y of Timothy Wood- 
bridge of Stockbridge, son of Rev. John Woodbridge 
of West Spx'ingfield, and Jemima Eliot liis Avife, so far as 
we have been able to gather it. His brothers were live in 
number, and his sisters two, viz. First, Abigail, born De- 
cember 22, 1700, was man-ied to John Mixer, October 30, 
1734. Childless. Second, /o/m, born December 25, 1702, 
was settled first at Pequonnac in 1729, and was installed 
in South Hadley in 1742.. He died in 1783. His first 
wife was Miss Ruggles of New Jersey, by whom lie had 
two sons, Jolm, and Col. Ruggles Woodbridge, member of 
the Legislature for many years, an energetic and excellent 
man. The second wife was Miss Clark of Belchertown. 
She had five children, one of whom was the father of Rev. 
John Woodbridge of Old Hadley, Rev. Sylvester W., and 
IMindwell, the wife of Mr. Gould of Southampton. A 
daughter married Rev. Joseph Strong, and was the mother 
of Prof. Strong of Rutgers College, Dr. W. Strong of 
Boston, and Dr. M. Strong of Rochester. Of her daugh- 
ters, one married a son of President Dwight, another I*ro- 
fessor Avery of Hamilton College, and a third Dr. Bogert 
of the Sailor's Snug Harbor. The tirst missionary to 
California was also a descendant of Rev. J. W. of South 
Hadley. 

Third, Jahleel, born Dec. 11, 1704 ; died, April 27, 1705. 

Fourth, Joseph, born Feb. 10, 1807 ; will have a sep- 
arate notice. 

Timothy, born Feb. 27, 1709, was the fifth child. 

Sixth, Benjamin, born Feb. 14, 1711 ; died March 23, of 
the same year. 

Seventh, Benjamin, born June 15, 1712, was settled in 
Amity, Ct., now called Woodbridge m honor of him. He 
was a man of great shrewdness and wit, and many of his 
sayings are remembered to this day. He also possessed 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 135 

to an unusual degree tlie affection and confidence of his 
people. He died Dec. 24, 1785, aged 73. 

Eighth, Jemima, born June 30, 1717, married Mr. 
Nicholson, a merchant, and removed to New Jersey ; but 
after his death she joined her brothers in Stockbridge, and 
for several summers taught a school of small children in 
Goodrich street. As has been observed, the mother also 
removed to Stockbridge, and thus this place became, rather 
than any other, the home of tlie ftmiily. 

Timothy was, strictly speaking, the first white inhab- 
itant of missionary Stockbridge. He was also the fii'st 
deacon in the church, the first magistrate in the town, and 
the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, for which service he 
received from England a crown a day. He was Judge of 
his Majesty's Liferior Court, and after 1761, was Judge 
both of Probate and Common Pleas. Just before his 
death, which occurred May 11, 1774, he was chosen as 
member of the Governor's Council by mandamus from the 
King, but declined the office. His docket, an antique relic 
uideed, was destroyed by a fire which occurred in Ver- 
gennes, Vt., in 1846. Mr. Woodbridge built first on the 
South side of the road, a short distance to the East of the 
house of Mr. Stephen W. Jones ; but he afterwards built 
on the site now occupied by Mr. Samuel GoocWch. He 
was Married in 1736 to Miss Abigail Day of West Spring- 
field, whose father, Samuel Day, born May 20, 1671, was 
married in 1697 to Marah Dumbleton. The parents of 
Samuel Day were Thomas and Sarah Day. Mrs. Wood- 
bridge was born March, 17, 1713, and died Dec. 4, 1772. 
Her children were : — 

Abigail, born in West Springfield in 1737, who mari'ied 
Mr. ToMTisend of New Haven. 

Second, Sybil, born about 1743, who Married Capt. 
William Goodrich, and settled m Stockbridge, where she 
died Jan. 21, 1782, aged 39. Her cliildi-en were first, 
Experience ; and William, who died June 10, 1771, a^-ed 
9 years. Mrs. Goodi-ich died June 21, 1782, aged 39. 

Third, Silvia, born about 1745, who mai'ried Capt, 
Phineas Morgan from Springfield, settled in Stockbridge, 
and died Dec. 3, 1806. Her son. Miles Morgan, settled in 
West Stockbridge, had a large family, but buried five of 
them in the church-yard in this place. He died Oct. 8, 



136 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND FRESENT ; 

1842, aged 64, his father. May 26, aged 79, his mother, 
Dec. 3, 1806. 

Fourth, Timothy, who died young. 

Fifth, William, who married Martha, daughter of Joseph 
Patterson of Richmond, and moved at an early date to that 
part of New Haven, Vt., now included in Waltham ; and 
from thence to Madrid, N. Y. His children were, first, 
Abigail, married Mr. Stockman of Vergennes, Vt., and had 
six children; second. Electa, married to Abel Allen of 
Ferrisburg, and died in New York, leaving two children ; 
third, William, married to Betsey Whitney and had seve- 
ral children; fourth, Sereno, who married and had one 
child; fifth, Lucy, married, first, to Potter Scranton of 
Vermont, second, to Mr. Thompson, with whom she moved 
to Canada — she had children by both marriages ; sixth, 
Martha, married to William Wliitney, had three children ; 
and seventh, John Eliot, who married in Madrid rather 
late in life. 

Sixth, Enoch, born Dec. 25, 1750, mai-ried Nancy Win- 
chell of Oblong, N. Y., in 1774, and had children— first, 
Timothy, born Aug. 16, 1775, and married to Lydia Chip- 
man, July 3, 1801 ; second, Enoch, born May 15, 1777, 
died Sept. 19, 1778; third, Enoch Day, born July 16, 
1779, married Clara Strong of Vergennes, Oct. 12, 1806, 
— was several times representative from that city to the 
Legislature, twice County Senator, three years Mayor, 
and during the same period Chief Judge of the City 
Court, and died July 17, 1853 ; fourth, Sophia, born Apr. 
30, 1784, married to Isaac Hopkins of Hopkinton, 1812 ; 
fifth, Harriet, born Apr. 25, 1786, married to Benjamin 
W. Hopkins; sixth, Nancy, bora Aug. 30, 1788, married 
to Thomas Geer, Feb. 22, 1810 ; seventh, Betsey, born 
July 5, 1790, married to Ville Lawrence of Vergennes, 
Dec. 4, 1814, died Nov. 23, 1830 ; and eighth, Sally Maria, 
born Jan. 30, 1796, married to Henry Weed, July 4, 1821. 
Enoch, (the elder) died Apr. 25, 1805, his first wife. May 
11, 1800, and his second, Sabria Hopkins, (married Jan. 
1, 1802) Jan. 5, 1807. He was graduated at Yale in 1774, 
but soon entered the army, was an adjutant in General Pat- 
terson's brigade. As Lieutenant Woodbndge, connected 
with Arnold's volunteer command at Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point in 1775, he is known in history. He 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 137 

stood by the side of Montgomery when he fell at Quebec, 
returned from thence in 1776, was at the battles of Hub- 
bardton and Bennington, and at the taking of Burgoyne, 
was wounded at White Plains, and continued in the army 
until the close of the wai', 1783, the latter part of the time 
as Commissary, stationed at Albany and Bennington. 
After the close of the war, he removed from Stockbridge 
and commenced practice in Pownal, Vt. Thence he 
removed to Manchester, but finally settled in Vergennes, 
of which city he was the first Mayor, representing it, also, 
for many years in the Legislature, after which he was 
Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. He 
maintained the character of a man of strict integrity and 
true benevolence, " and," says one, " may be said to have 
died without an enemy." 

Seventh, Electa, who married Colonel Stephen Pearl of 
Stockbridge, Nov. 5, 1773. 

Eighth, Lucy, who married Ephi'aim Grant of Tolland, 
Ct., Oct. 14, 1772 ; no children. Eunice Woodbridge of 
Stockbridge, married Dr. Samuel Lee of Great Barring- 
ton, Jan. 21, 1762, and Samuel Woodbridge, married 
Mary Nicholson of Stockbridge, July 15, 1765 ; but their 
names do not appear on the record furnished by Hon. 
Enoch D. Woodbridge of Vergennes. 

JOSEPH WOODBRIDGE AND FAMILY. 

As Joseph was a brother of Timothy, his ancestry may 
be found under the same head. He was born Feb. 10, 
1707, and, May 10, 1730, married Mrs. Elizabeth Barnard, 
cousin to Mrs. Timothy Woodbridge. Her former hus- 
band was Joseph Barnard. They were published Dec. 
30, 1721, and he died Dec. 3, 1728. Their children were : 

First, Elizabeth, born Jan. 18, 1702-3, and married in 
Stockbridge, Oct., 1787, to Rev. Thomas Strong, first pas- 
tor of New Marlborough. She had seven children — Eliz- 
abeth, born Dec. 12, 1788, married Rev. E. Steele of 
Egrcmont ; Jerusha, born March 21, 1750; Joseph, born 
Feb. 3, 1752, married Xena Jackson of Tyringham, 
(afterwards Mrs. Dr. Catlin of New Marlborough;) 
Ashbel, bom Jan. 10, 1754; Persis, born Feb. i), 1756; 
Lucina, born May 31, 1758 ; Lucina Mehitable, born Dec. 
3, 1761. Mrs. Strong died Dec. 24, 1761. 



138 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Second, Mary, born Sept. 25, 1724. 

Third, Sarah, born Sept. 20, 1726. 

Fourth, Joseph, born May 20, 1729. He moved from 
Stockbridge after 1754. 

After her marriage with 'Mr. Woodbridge, Mrs. Barnard 
had five children. Tlie first two were born in West 
Springfield, and the others probably in Wethersfield, Ct., 
to which place the family removed. These children were : 

First, Jemima, born Feb. 28, 1731, married to Jacob 
Cooper of Stockbridge. 

Second, Isabella, born Jan. 16, 1733, married to Zenas 
Parsons. 

Third, Mabel, born Feb. 13, 1735, married to Captain 
Josiah Jones. 

Fourth, Jahleel, born about 1738, married to Lucy, 
daughter of President Edwards. 

Fifth, Stephen, who died when a youth, and of whom 
we have no dates. 

Mr. Woodbridge came to Stockbridge when Jahleel was 
at the age of eleven months. He lived first on the site 
now occupied by Stephen W. Jones. The exact situation 
of the house is now covered by the garden of JNIr. Jones. 
Traces of the well, the cellar, and even of the ash-heap 
may still be seen. Subsequently he built on the corner 
now occupied by Mr. Stanton, the house standing a few 
rods south of that of Mr. Stanton. It was of one story, 
and painted red. The " Settle Lot," of Mr. Woodbridge, 
as conveyed to Jolm Willard, July 5, 1750, was bounded 
" Northwesterly, partly by a highway, and partly by David 
Pixley's land, northeasterly by the marsh or mill pond, 
southeasterly and southerly by the lines originally run in 
laying out said lot ; and was sold for £2500 Old Tenor 
Bills, well and truly paid." Tradition says that he and 
Mr. Willard exchanged land. Probably he first sold to 
Mr. Willard and built near his brother on Goodrich street, 
and afterwards, by exchange, regained lais old government 
grant. Certain it is that there his last days were spent. 
Of the date of his death, or that of his wife, we have been 
able to find no record. AYe only know that he lived after 
the Revolutionary war. 

Before giving the statistics of his posterity, we will 
insert the little we possess concerning the ancestry of Mrs. 



OR, UECORUS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 1*39 

Woodbridge. She was born Nov. 1, 1G97, being ten years 
older than her husband, and was the daughter of John 
Merrick, born Dec. 9, 1(358, and his wife, Mary Day, boi'n 
Dec. 15, 16G6, both of Springtiekl, and married Feb. 11, 
168G-7. Mr. Merrick was the son of Thomas and Eliza- 
beth (Tilley) Merrick, married Nov. 21, lG5o ; and Mrs. 
Mary (Day) JMerrick was the daughter of Thomas and 
Sarah Day, all of Springfield. Thomas Merrick emigrated 
from Wales to Koxbury, and thence to Springfield with 
Mr. Pynchon in 1G3G. He was the father of James Mer- 
rick, and doubtless of Thomas. The Days were early 
inhabitants of West Springfield, where the family still 
remains. Of the name of Tilley, Ave only know that 
Edward and John Tilley brought over families in the May 
Flower, and both died in Plymouth before the opening of 
Spring. 

DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH WOODBRIDGE. 

Jemima, known as " Aunt Cooper," lived for a time near 
the Lenox line, on the P^ast street ; but after the alarm in 
1755, returned to the village and lived in what was after- 
wards the " Aunt Cooper House," which stood in what 
is noAv tlie garden of Mrs. Wells. In that one story 
building of three ground rooms, slie managed to keep as 
boarders such gentlemen as could afibrd to pay well for a 
home. She never set a price ; but they payed all her 
bills quarterly, and then made up a purse for her. She 
was universally beloved and respected. She died about 
1800, childless. 

Isabella removed to Springfield at her marriage, and 
died there. Her children were Stephen, Pamela, and 
Elizabeth, who married Mr. Sheldon, and had a son, now 
dead, and a daughter. Her family constitute the descend- 
ants of Mrs. Parsons. 

Mabel will be mentioned in the family of her husband, 
Capt. Jones. 

Jahleel was graduated at Princeton in 1 7 Gl, married Lucy 
Edwards June 7, 17G4, was Judge of Probate Court from 
17.S9 to 1795, State Senator four years, and a membei* of 
the County Convention whicli met here in 1774. He died 
Aug. o, 179G, aged 58. His first wife died Sept. 17, 178G ; 



140 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

and lie married, second, tlie widow of Rev. John Keep of 
Sheffield, formerly Miss llobbins, who survived him. His 
children Avere : — - 

First, Stephen, born March 12, 17G5, who married Ra- 
chel Wells of West Hartford, and died in Youngstown, 
Ohio, August 7, 1836. Mrs. Woodbridge, born April 9, 
1767, died in Stockbridge, November 7, 1833. 

Second, Jonathan, born January 24, 1767, who married 
Miss Meach, and settled as a laAvyer in Worthington, Mas- 
sachusetts, where he died in 1808. Rev. Jonathan Wood- 
bridge, editor of the " Living Age," and Rev. George 
Woodbridge of Richmond, Virginia, are his sons. 

Third, Lucy, born April 14, 1769, who married Jona- 
than, son of Timothy Edwards, Esq., and settled in . 

Fourth, Joseph, b'orn July 22, 1771, who was married, 
May 25, 1800, to Louisa, daughter of Col. Mark Hopkins, 
and settled as a lawyer in Stockbridge. For several years 
previous to his death, he held the office of County Clerk. 
He died April 23, 1829. His wife died February 9, 1819, 
aged 44. 

Fifth, Elizabeth, born July 1, 1775, who married Elisha, 
son of Samuel Browne, Esq., and settled in Stockbridge. 
For some 20 years past, however, she has resided in Day- 
ton, Ohio, where her husband died in February 1853. 

Sixth, Sarah Edwards, bom June 7, 1775, the second 
Avife of Moses Lester of Griswold, Connecticut, and moth- 
er of C. Edwards Lester, the author. Her husband died 
in Griswold in 1815, and she in Constantia, New York, 
December 11, 1837. The date of their marriage was No- 
vember 2, 1807. 

Seventh, Jolui Eliot, born June 24, 1777, who man-ied 
and lived in Youngstown. 

Eighth, Anna, born November 6, 1779, who died in 
youth ; and 

Ninth, Timothy, born November 23, 1783, who married 
Cynthia Phelps of Green River, New York. Dr. Wood- 
bridge lost his sight Avhile preparing for the ministry, but 
completed his studies, and after jireaching in New York 
and other places, settled in Green River, from which place 
he afterwards removed to Spencertown in the same county. 
In 1852 he retired from the pastoral office, but preaches 
as stated supply much of the time, devoting his leisure 
chiefly to writing. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 141 

The Woodbridge femily has always numbei'ed an unu- 
sual proportion of clergymen. A late publication speaks 
of Rev. Ashbel Woodbridge of Glastenbury, Connecticut, 
as being one of the family who were ministers in the Col- 
ony at or near the same time, not one of whom was ever 
dismissed. Ashbel Avas a son of Rev. Timothy Wood- 
bridge of Hartford. 

COL. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS AND FAMILY. 

Robert Williams, the ancestor of this family, came 
from Norwich, England, to Roxbury, where he was ad- 
mitted freeman in 1638. He is believed to have been a 
Welshman. His first Avife, who died July 28, 1G74, at the 
age of 80, was Elizabeth Stratton. She had four sons, 
viz., Samuel, born in 1032 ; Isaac, born in 1638 ; Stephen, 
born in 1640; and Thomas, avIio died young. His second 
Avife is supposed to have been Martha Strong. She died 
in 1704, aged 91. Mr. Williams died September 1, 1693, 
supposed to have been over 100 years of age. In his Avill 
he mentions a brother, Nicholas Williams, and grand 
children by the names of Robinson and Totman, Avho may 
have been married themselves, or been the children of 
married daughters. Samuel Williams married Theoda 
Park, was a deacon of Roxbury church, and died Septem- 
ber 28, 1698. The Williams family distinguished in Deer- 
field history, Avere descended from this son. 

Stephen Williams lived on his ancestral estate and took 
charge of his father and of his uncle, Nicholas Williams, 
during their life time, as ordered in the will. He married 
Sarah Wise, and died February 15, 1719-20. 

Isaac Williams, born September 1, 1638, settled in New- 
ton in 1661, at the age of 23, and died in 1708. His first 
Avife Avas Martha, daughter of Dea. William Park of Rox- 
bury, married about 1661. Dea. Park, it is supposed, may 
have been the son of EdAvard Park of London, and brother 
of Henry of London, Richard of Cambridge, Samuel of 
Mystic, and Thomas of vStonington, Connecticut. His 
wMfe Sarah, Avas living in 1668 : he died in 1665. 

The second Avife of Isaac Williams was Judith Cooper. 
He died February 11, 1707, aged 69. His children by his 
first wife were — 



142 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AKD PRESENT ; 

Isaac, born December 11, IGGl, who maiTied Elizabeth 
-, and died in 1739 ; 



Martha, born December 27, 1663 ; 

William, born February 2, 1665, mentioned as the min- 
ister of Hatfield ; 

John, bom August 31, 1667, who settled in Stonington, 
Connecticut ; 

Eleazer, born October 22, 1669, also settled at Stoning- 
ton ; and 

Thomas, born October 23, 1673. 

Children of the second marriage — 

Peter, born Auo-ust 31, 1680 ; 

Sarah, born October 2, 1688 ; 

Ephraim, born October 21, 1691,— Col. Ephraim Wil- 
liams of Stockbridge. 

These are all the names we have found, though the 
" Settlement of Newton" gives 12 as the number of his 
children. The others probably died young. 

Col. Ephraim Williams lived for some years after his 
marriage, with his brother at Hatfield, but came to Stock- 
bridge from Newton, where the greater part of his married 
life had been spent. His first marriage was with Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Abraham Jackson of Newton. 

Dea. John Jackson, from London, father of Abraham, 
was the first settler of Newton who remained there through 
life, " and," says the author of " The Settlement of New- 
ton," to whom we are much indebted for information, " the 
date when he came into the village may be properly con- 
sidered as the centennial anniversary of the first settle- 
ment." He was then 39 years of age. He bought a house 
and eighteen acres of land in 1639, and took the Free- 
man's oath in 1641. He was one of the first deacons in 
the church, and gave an acre of land for the church and 
grave-yard. On this the first house of worship was erect- 
ed. Newton originally formed a part of Cambridge, and 
the whole was known as New Town. 

Dea. Jackson was probably the brother of Edward Jack- 
son, and if so, he was the son of Christopher Jackson, who 
died in London, December 5, 1663. The first wife of Ed- 
ward was named Frances, and the second (married in 
March, 1649,) was the widow of Kev. John Oliver, for- 
merly Miss Margaret Newgate. He was bom in 1602, 



OR, RECOUDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 143 

settled in Newton in 1043, and died in 1681. These two 
were the most wealthy among the settlers of Newton. 
Dea. Jackson had two wives, the last of whom, Margaret, 
died August 28, 1684, aged 60. He died January 30, 
1675. lie had 5 sons and 10 daughters. Edward, his 
son, was killed by the Indians at the time of their destruc- 
tion of Medford, Febi'uary 21, 1676, and a son John was in 
active life in 1678 ; but Abraham, the father of Mrs. Wil- 
liams, was the only one who reared a family. By him an- 
other acre was added to the gift of his father, and together, 
they form the ancient part of the Center Cemetery. He 
married Elizabeth Biscoe. 

The children of Col. Ephraim Williams and his first 
wife, Elizabeth Jackson, were — 

First, Ephraim, born February 23, 1715, and second, 
Thomas, born February 24, 1718, weeks previous to the 
death of the mother. The second wife of Col. Williams 
was Abigail, daughter of Josiah and Abigail (Barnes) 
Jones of Weston. Pier ancestry may be seen by turning 
to the article " Josiah Jones and Family." She was mar- 
ried May 21, 1719. Her children Avere — 

First, Abigail, born April 20, 1721, mentioned as the 
wife of Mr. Sergeant. 

Second, Josiah, who married Miss Sergeant of New Jer- 
sey, lived for a time with his father, was wounded serious- 
ly, but not fatally, at the battle near Lake George, when 
his brother Ephraim fell, and died, it appears, in Stock- 
bridge, May 6, 1759, at the age of 38. 

Third, Judith, who was married in Stockbridge, Sept. 
17, 1761, to Rev. Ezra Thayer of Ware, Massachusetts. 
He died February 12, 1775, and she returned to Stock- 
bridge, built the house now the residence of Mrs. Archibald 
Hopkins, and died April 5, 1801, aged 72. Her family is 
now extinct. 

Fourth, Elizabeth, the wife of Di*. Stephen West, and 
fifth, Elijah. Some members of this family should have 
moi'e than a passing notice. 

Ephraim, the eldest, went early to sea, and visited Eng- 
land, vSpain, Holland, &c., but abandoned the life of a sailor 
at his father's request. He came to Stockbridge after the 
removal of the family to this place, (1737,) made several 
large purchases of land, and represented the town in the 



144 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

General Court. Dr. Williams speaks of liim as returning 
to Hatfield in 1748, and serving as Deputy SherilF under 
Col. Oliver Partridge of that town. It was during his res- 
idence here, therefore, that he was appointed Captain of a 
company raised in New England for the Canada Expedi- 
tion, designed to put an end to the Indian invasions which 
kept the country in a state of painful agitation. Soon after 
his appointment, Capt. Williams was placed in command of 
the line of Massachusetts Foi-ts, west of the river, extend- 
ing from Fort Dummer, in Vernon, Vermont, to Fort Mas- 
sachusetts, on the Hoosick, three or four miles east of Wil- 
liamstowai. He had also command of a small fort at Wil- 
liamstown. He resided usually at Fort Massachusetts ; 
but when this fort was attacked by De Vaudreuil, August 
20, 1746, he had joined the army of the Expedition. The 
fort was rebuilt and garrisoned by him in 1748, and stood 
an attack of about 330 French and Indians on the 2d of 
August. The attack was sudden and the danger great. 
Two men were killed and one woimded ; and the brave 
captain was soon promoted to the rank of Major. It was 
at the close of this war that he settled again in Hatfield, 
from whence he had come to Stockbridge. 

In 1755, he was again called to the battle field. Gov. 
Shu'ley appointed him to the command of a regiment, and 
he was ordered to join the eccentric William — afterwards 
Sir William — Johnson, at Albany, he having command of 
the expedition against Crown Point. Fort Edward was 
partially built, and manned, and Johnson took a position at 
the southern extremity of Lake George, preparing mean- 
time to proceed to Ticonderoga. But Baron Dieskau was 
too quick for him ; and having secured that important post, 
came down with an army of 1800 or more, intending to 
take Fort Edward, &c., and cut off Johnson from all sup- 
plies. When near that fort, however, he yielded to the 
feai'S of his Indians, and turned towards the careless com- 
mander on the Lake. But Johnson, partially aroused, 
sent notice of the enemy's landing to Col. Blanchard, and 
called a council of war on the night of the 7th — Septem- 
ber, 1755. It was proposed to send out a small force to 
arrest Dieskau ; but when the opinion of Hendrick, the In- 
dian Chief, was asked, he replied that if they were to fight 
they were too few, if to be killed, too many. His advice 



OR, KECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 145 

was taken, and 1200 were sent under the command of Wil- 
liams, Hendrick and lais band being of the number. Be- 
foi'e marching, the aged Chief mounted a gun-carriage and 
harangued his warriors with true Indian eloquence. One 
of the American otTicers present declared that though he 
understood not one word, yet such was the manner of the 
sj^eaker, and such the evident propriety and force of his 
counsels that he was more affected by it than by any other 
speech to which he ever listened. The head of the Brave 
was then covered with long white locks, and he was loved 
with the deepest veneration by every warrior. 

Dieskau approached the Americans through the woods, 
his army ranged in the form of a crescent, and coming to a 
defile where they could take every advantage, he suddenly 
commenced a heavy fire, which was accompanied by the 
fierce yell of his Indians. Williams now found himself in 
the centre of this line, and attempting to gain the eminence 
on one side, was sliot through the head. Hendrick was 
also fatally wounded in the back by a fire from the enemy's 
flank, a circumstance which gi-eatly grieved him, as it car- 
ried the appearance of his having turned his back to the 
foe. Col. Whiting bravely commanded the retreat which 
had now become inevitable, and after the first fire few of 
the Americans fell. A pond in the vicinity, behind which 
the retreating army took refuge, and into which the French 
threw the bodies of the slain, has since been called " Bloody 
Pond" and a boulder on the road-side near Avhere Wil- 
liams fell, is called " Williams' Rock." It is several feet 
in diameter, nearly round, with a flat top. On this a citi- 
zen of Stockbridge, — a son of Williams College — engraved 
the initials of his name and the date of his death during 
the autumn of 1852. The skull (his body was buried near 
it,) is said to have been taken away by a gentleman from 
Carolina bearing the name of Williams, some years since, 
probably his nephew, who was a great antiquarian. When 
Williams fell. Rev. Stephen Williams of Long Meadow 
was with the army in the capacity of Chaplain, William 
Williams, afterwards Signer of the Declaration, was one of 
his Staff, (both kinsman,) Thomas, his brother, was Sur- 
geon, and Josiah was one of his soldiers. 

Col. Williams was a large portly man, agreeable and con- 
ciliating in hia manners to an unusual degree, cheerful and 



14G STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

even playful in liis disposition ; and being also intelligent, 
virtuous and of a large, generous heart, he Avas universally 
beloved and respected. In the new Chapel at Williams 
College the Trustees have erected a tablet on which is the 
following inscription : " To the memory of the gallant 
and generous Col. Ephraim Williams, Avho was born at 
Newton, Middlesex Co., Feb 24, 1714, O. S., lived at 
Deerfield, and fell in an ambuscade of French and Indians 
near the southern extremity of Lake George, Sept. 8, 
1755, in the 42d year of his age. Having been stationed 
at Fort Massachusetts, in Avliat is now the township of 
Adams, he left in his Will a liberal provision for a Free 
School in Williamstown, which was incorporated in 1785. 
On this foundation, in 1793, arose the College which was 
called after his name." An effort is now making, (1853,) 
by the alumni of the College to erect a monument to Col. 
Williams on the boulder where he felL This Will was 
made at Albany, July 22, on his way to the scene of his 
death, and the bequest was in accordance with a promise 
made to the inhabitants during his residence at Fort Mas- 
sachusetts. 

Thomas Williams settled at Deerfield as a physician 
about 1739, having been graduated at Yale in 1737, the 
year of the removal of the family to Stockbridge. His 
medical studies were pursued with Dr. Wheat of Boston. 
Of course he was not much in Stockbridge, though we 
must consider him as propei4y a citizen for a couple of 
years. His wife was Ann, sister of Dr. T. Childs of Pitts- 
field, married about 1740. His children were:— 

First, Elizabeth, born Aug. 28, 1741 who married Lem- 
uel Barnard of Sheffield. 

Second, Anna, born Sept. 16, 1743, wife of Elijah 
Dwight Esq, of Barrington. 

Third, Thomas, born May 5, 1746, who resided in Stock- 
bridge, and is mentioned in Sec. 46th of this work ; 

By a second marriage with Miss Esther Williams, 
daughter of Rev. William Williams of Weston, about 
1749, his first wife having died in May, 1746. 

Fourth, Cynthia, born Oct. 1, 1750, wife of Hezekiah 
Leffingwell. 

Fifth, Mary Cooke, born Nov. 28, 1752, wife of Elihu 
Ashley. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 147 

Sixth, Martha, born Jan. 29, 1755, wife of Dr. Jeremiah 
"West of Tolland, brother of Rev. Dr. Stephen West of 
Stockbriclge. 

Seventh, Ephraim, born July 25, 1757, who died in 
infancy. 

Eighth, Esther, born Jan. 18, 1759, — ditto. 

Ninth, Ephraim, born Nov. 19, 1760, a resident of 
Stockbridge, and mentioned in Sec. 46th. 

Tenth, William Stoddard, born Oct. 11, 1762, a physician. 

Eleventh, Solomon, born Dec. 9, 1764. 

Twelfth, Elijah, born Jan. 30, 1767, died June 9, 1815, 
in Stockbridge. 

Thirteenth, Stephen West, born June 30, 1769, who 
died in Stockbridge, Jan. 20, 1790. 

Fourteenth, Horace, born Sept. 2, 1771, who died in 
infancy. 

Dr. Williams was appointed surgeon in the army raised 
for the Canada Expedition, 1744, and again, for the line 
of forts of which his brother had the command ; and he 
left Fort Massachusetts by permission a few days before 
the destruction of that post, Aug. 20, 1746 ; thus escap- 
ing death or Indian captivity. On his way, with thirteen 
attendants, he passed through a body of hostile Indians 
who lay concealed so near his path that they could almost 
reach them with their guns, yet did not know of his dan- 
ger until afterwards informed of it by one of the party. 
He reached Deerfield in season to dress the wounds of his 
fellow countrymen after " Barr's Fight" in that town, and, 
as we have observed, was present in the same capacity 
when his brother fell, on Monday, Sept. 8, 1755. The 
scene of that day he describes as terrific. The engage- 
ment lasted from half past ten A. M., until four in the af- 
ternoon ; the Americans fighting bravely in the camp, and 
at last gaining a com])lete victory, and taking Dieskau 
prisoner, with wounds dressed by Dr. Williams, but which, 
in 1767, proved mortal. So fierce was the conflict that 
Dr. Williams speaks of the bullets flying thickly about 
his tent, and at times penetrating their slight covering, 
while they dressed the wounds of the mangled and dying. 
Dr. Williams held the office of Lieutenant Coloncd in 
one of the regiments at Lake George in 1756, and died, 
Sept. 28, 1775. 

Elizabeth Williams, married Rev, Stephen West of 



148 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Stock!) ridge, probably about 1750. Her cliaracter is thus 
given by Dr. Hyde of Lee in her funeral sermon. " Mrs. 
West possessing naturally a discerning, active mind, much 
improved by reading, conversation, and reflection, and 
having an affectionate and friendly heart, as well as a 
great share of wisdom and prudence, was enabled to fill 
with unusual dignity the important place in society to which 
Providence raised her. She had long professed friend- 
ship to the cause of Christ, and was an unshaken and able 
advocate of the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel. 
To experimental religion she never appeared to make 
high pretensions ; yet her conversation on this subject 
evidenced a great acquaintance with her own heart, and 
an accurate knowledge of the Scriptural marks of true re- 
ligion. Her long life Avas filled up in doing good as she 
had opportunity ; and to those Avhom she viewed as friends 
to the Lord Jesus she was very prompt in giving tokens of 
her approbation and friendship." 

Mrs. West was the warm friend of the Lidian, and inti- 
mate in her associations with the family of her husband's 
predecessor ; and the estimate Avhich her people made of 
her worth is engraven on the marble erected by them 
above her grave. She died Sept. 15, 1804, at the age of 73. 

Elijah, known as Col. Elijah Williams, married Miss 
Sophia Partridge of Hatfield. In 17 G6 he built the " Iron 
Works" at what is now called West Stockbridge Village, 
and thus commenced the settlement of that part of the 
town. Subsequently, he opened the Marble Quarries 
which have become so widely noted. He was also engaged 
as a proprietor in the settlement of Lenox and Richmond ; 
but later in life he returned to Stockbridge, and died in 
the house now the residence of Mr. Thomas Wells, June 
9, 1815, aged 82. Mrs. Williams died Oct. 25, 1830, aged 
84, leaving one son, a physician at the South, since dead. 

JOSIAH JONES AND FAMILY. 

When the mission to the Stockbridge Indians was estab- 
lished, a few families of ]Diety were selected to accompany 
the pastor as associates. Among these was the family of 
Deacon Josiah Jones. ]Mr. Jones' father (Josiah Jones) 
emigrated from Berkshire, England, in 1665, the period 
of the last dispersion of the Puritans. He settled in that 



on, nncoRDS of an old mission station. 140 

part of Watevtown which was afterwards set off as "Wes- 
ton, Mass. Josiah (the son) was born in 1701. In 1724 
he married JNIiss Anna BroAvn, They had fourteen chil- 
dren, only five of Avliom lived to settle as heads of families. 
Josiah, the eldest, born in Weston, in 1725, married Miss 
Mabel Woodbridge, daughter of Joseph Woodbridge, who, 
wath his family, also came to this town as associates of the 
missiohary. Capt. Jones (as he was usually called) 
learned the Indian language and was long remembei-ed by 
a few of their tribe. They always sj^oke of him as 
" Good man, always kind to Indian." When the tribe 
left .Stockbridge, they presented him, as a token of their 
affection, the " Old Conch Shell " which had always been 
used to summon them to their place of Avorship, and also 
a beautiful belt of wampum. This belt Avas stolen from 
him by the Shays men, and never recoA^ered. 

The children of Josiah and Mabel Jones were — Solo- 
mon, born 1759 ; Stephen Woodbridge, 17G1 ; Clarissa, 
1763; Ehzabeth, 1765; Josiah, 1767; Horatio, 1769; 
Anna, 1772 ; William, 1775, and Mary, 1778 ; all of 
whom lived to the age of forty, and, except one, had fami- 
lies. The " Settle Lot " given to Mr. Jones was the same 
as that still in the possession of the family. He built, 
first, a log house upon this ground, and then a framed 
building, after his death used as a Avork-house by the 
toAvn. His son Josiah built a few rods from this, and his 
son Josiah on the old spot, in AAdiich house his AvidoAV now 
resides. 

Micah, the second child of the Mr, Jones, who emi- 
grated to Stockbi-idge AA'ith the missionary, was born Oct. 
4, 1728, and probably died very young. 

Anna, born Feb. 4, 1730-1, married Oliver Warner of 
the soutliAvest ])art of the county, and died, together Avith 
her hus1)and and tAvo children, soon after the close of the 
Revolution. 

Keziali, born April 6, 1733, married INIr. — prol)ably 
Timothy — Kellogg of Egremont, and left descendants. 

Elijah, born Jan. 23, 1735-6, died very young. 

Al)igail, born Nov. 17, 1738, Avas married, May 31, to 
Josiah Warren. 

Elijah, born in 1742, married Rhoda Stoddard of L. 
South Farms, niece to his step-mother. He enlisted in 



150 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

the Revolutionary army as orderly sergeant, with a com- 
missary's commission, March, 1781, took the small pox, 
which was followed hy the consumption, and died at the 
house of the clergyman in Dover, N. Y., April 6, 1782, at 
the age of 40. He was the first white male born in 
Stockbridge ; but we find in his family a tradition that 
jjrevious to the birth of any white child in this town, seve- 
ral children of Stockbridge parents were born in the towns 
from which the mothers had emigrated ; a tradition which 
satisfactorily accounts for discrepancies in dates. The 
children of Mr. Jones were Anna, born 1769; James, 
1772; Lewmond, 1773; Rhoda, 177G ; Elijah, 1778; 
Alfred, 1780; and Mary, 1781. Elijah lived until late in 
life on his father's farm, and in his house, but died in Cur- 
tisville, in 1853. The other brothers who lived to settle 
in life, removed, like several of the sons of Capt. Jones, to 
the Chenango Purchase. The residence of Mr. Jones was 
near the pond, Mali-kee-nac. 

JOHN WILLARD's family. 

John Willard was descended from Simon Willard, Avho 
married the grand daughter of Lord Darcey, Earl ot 
Rivers, and came early from Kent to New England. He 
removed first from Wethersfield to Canaan, and from 
thence to Stockbridge, previous to the death of Mr. Ser- 
geant. He died July 23, 1762, aged 67, and Margaret, 
his wife, died May 17, 1785, aged 86. The residence of 
the family was that since owned by IMi". H. Goodrich, 
though Mr. Willard at one time bought the settle lot of 
Mr. J. Woodbridge. Probably they exchanged again 
soon afterwards. His children were — Elias, Avho settled 
in Lenox ; Benjamin, who settled on the homestead, mar- 
ried Naomi , and died Feb. 8, 1780, aged 50. His 

wife died May 8, 1817, aged 78 ; Joseph, who married 
and settled here, and died March 19, 1777, aged 37 ; Anna, 
Avho married an Allen of Barrington ; Lydia, who mar- 
ried Esquire Samuel Brown, and Sylvia, who died 
unmarried. 

DAVID PIXLEY. 

Came from Westfield, and built on the site now occu- 
pied by Judge Byington. He joined the expedition 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 151 

against Cape Breton in 1745, and it is said, received for 
liis services a township west of the Mississippi. He vis- 
ited with his son Peter, and never returned. David, junior, 
took the homestead. Eunice, a daughter of David Pixley, 
senior, married Deacon David Ingersoll. His other chihl- 
ren were Asa and Matilda. His wives. Miss Cooper and 
the Widow Bliss of Boston. 

JOHN TAYLOR. 

From West Springfield, lived first on the hill, but after- 
wards built the house in South street, occupied at present 
by Mr. Timothy Darby. He had a son, Ephraim Taylor, 
and a daughter, Anna, who married a Partridge. He was 
also here when Mr. Sersreant died. 



JACOB COOPER, BROTHER OF MRS. PIXLEY, 

Came from West Springfield, and married Jemima 
Woodbridge. They are still called " Uncle and Aunt 
Cooper," and were universally beloved. Their history is 
given in that of the family of Joseph Woodbridge. 

STEPHEN NASH AND FAMILY. 

The great grandfather of Stephen Nasii was Thomas 
Nash, an early emigrant, who settled in New Haven. 
Lieut. Timothy Nash, his son, married Rebecca, daughter 
of Kev. Samuel Stone, the associate of Mr Hooker in the 
pastorate of the colony church at Hartford. The son of 
Timothy, and father of Stephen, was Lieut. John Nash of 
Hadley, who married Elizabeth Kellogg. Stephen was 
born Sept. 20, 17(»4, and married Elizabeth Smith, May 
22, 1728, the daughter of Deacon John Smith of Hadley, 
and grand daughter of Lieut. Philip Smith, (believed, in 
the days of superstition, to have been persecuted even 
unto death by the witches, who could not bear his upright 
conduct.) He was the son of Samuel Smitli, tlie emigrant. 
His wife was Rebecca Foote, daughter of Nathaniel Foote 
and his wife, Elizabeth Demin";, some of the first settlers 



152 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

of Wethersfield.* Elizabeth Smith was born in Hadley, 
Oct. 12, 1705. Mr. Nash settled in Westfield as a black- 
smith, but came to Stockbridge about 1752, to sit under 
the ministry of President Edwards. He died in 1764, 
and his wife in 1790. Their children were :— 

Bathsheba, born July 30, 1729, and married to Gcr- 
shom Martindale of Lenox. 

^ Joanna, born Jan. 23, 1731, and married to John Owen. 
She was the mother of the late venerable Mrs. Elizabeth 
Dewey. They settled in Sheffield. 

Elizabeth, born July 10, 1733, married Gershom Kel- 
logg of Egremont. 

Phcebe, born July 13, 1735, married Esquire Elijah 
Brown. 

Desire, born July 19, 1737, died unmarried- 
Stephen — Deacon Nash, born Nov. 22, 1739, married 
first, Jemima Kellogg, who died Feb. 17, 1790, and second, 
March 13, 1791, Mrs. Mary Dewey, daughter of Deacon 
Elisha Bradley. He died Oct. 14, 1808, and his second 
wife, Feb. 9, 1837, aged 78. 

Moses, born Sept. 7, 1741, married Anna, daughter of 
Dr. Bliss of Boston. She was the daughter of the second 
Mrs. Pixley. 

Experience, born Nov. 3, 1744, married Oringh Stod- 
dard of this town ; and her twin sister, 

Mercy, married Edward Martindale, brother to Gershom 
Martindale. 

Rhoda, born Nov. 15, 174G, married Reuben Sheldon of 
Stockbridge, July 18, 1771, and died after the birth of her 
only child. 

ELIHU PARSONS AND FAMILY. ' 

Elihu Parsons came to Stockbridge from Northampton, 
in 1752. He had married Sarah, daughter of President 
Edwards, June 11, 1750. Their children were — Ebene- 
zer, who died in infjxncy ; Esther, born May 29, 1752, 
died 1774; Elihu, born Dec. 9, 1753, and married to 
Lydia Hinsdale, the grand daughter of Mrs. Joseph 



* Nathaniel Foote is still famed as the one who helped 
King Charles into the Oak. The arms of the family com- 
memorate the event. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 153 

Woodbriclge and her first husband, and the first white 
chiki born in Lenox; Eliphalet, born June 18, 17oG; 
Lydia, born June 15, 1757, and married to Aaron Inger- 
soll of Lee; Lucretia, born Aug. 11, 1759, and married 
to Mr. Parsons of Goshen, the father of Mr. Parsons, the 
missionary; Sarah, born Sept. 8, 1760, and married to 
Deacon David Ingersoll of Lee ; Lucy, born Oct. 14, 1762, 
and married to ]\Ii\ Ketchum of Victor, N. Y. ; Jonathan 
and Jerusha, who both died in infancy ; and Jerusha, bom 
June 1, 1766, who married L-a Seymour of Stockb ridge, 
and is still living in Victor. The residence of the family 
WHS on the site of Mrs, Ashburner's house. There Mr. 
Parsons died Aug. 22, 1785, at the age of 66 ; but his 
wife died in Goshen, Mass., May 15, 1805, at the age of 76. 

MATHEW CADWELL 

Was boni in Wcstfield, and came here unmarried in 
1752. He afterwai'ds married Miss Sarah Root of Great 
Barrington, also a native of Wcstfield, and lived in the 
house so Avell known as " the Aunt Cooper House," which 
stood where the house of Mrs. Wells now stands. Subse- 
quently, he removed to that part of the town called Lara- 
w^augh, in memory of Lawrence Lynch, the Irish boy who 
fled with Mrs. Dwight in 1755, and who was one of the 
first to settle west of Deacon Brown's. Mr. Cadwell was 
a shoemaker by trade. His children were Abel, born 
Jan. 5, 1762; Mathew, Sarah, Nehushta, Jeremiah, Levi, 
Louis, and David, — the last named still living. Mr. Cad- 
well died Jan. 27, 1811, aged 79, and Mi-s. Cadwell July, 
28, 1806. 

MR. LAWRENCE LYNCH 

Married Dorcas , and died Nov. 5, 1815, aged 80, 

His wife died May 12, 1799, aged 60. The late Mr. 
Moses Lynch is their son. He married Miss L. Cadwell. 

In the east part of the town, Mr. Cooper was called the 
first inhabitant, yet his residence was beyond the Lenox 
line. A gentleman called one day at his door to ask for 
water. " You are greatly blessed," said he to Mi's. 
Cooper, " for all the world are praying for you." " And 



154 STOCKBKIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

how can that be ?" " Why," he answered, " I never heard 
a prayer in which those in the ends of the earth were not 
particularly remembered ; and I am sure you are the per- 
sons." In 1755 they removed nearer to the center of the 
world, through fear of the Indians. 

After them, a family by the name of Galpin, and some 
others, settled there ; but they have long been gone from 
town. Of the present inhabitants, the families of Bradley 
and Williams were first ; Deacon Elisha Bradley came in 
1773, and Capt. Daniel Williams about the same time. In 
Curtisville, Deacon Elnathan Curtis and Mr. Churchill, 
from Woodbury, Ct., were among the first settlers, and 
were earlier inhabitants of Stockbridge than Deacon 
Bradley and Capt. Williams. Joseph Barnard, son of 
Mrs. J. Woodbridge was here in active life in 1754, but 
afterwards removed. Mr. Stoddard and James Wilson 
are mentioned in 1758 ; Ezra Whittlesey in 1762. 

— # — 
SECTION XXIX. 



PRESIDENT EDWARDS AND WIFE. 

Rev. Jonathan Edwards, born in East Windsor, Ct., 
Oct. 5, 1703, was the son of Rev. Timothy P^dwards, a 
gentleman of Welsh descent. It has been shown that the 
Church of Stockbridge was not only a missionary church, 
but that its early English members were of Puritan origin. 
And it has been blessed with pastors of the same holy 
stock. 

The great grandfather of Timothy Edwards was Rev. 
Richard Edwards of London, whose widow married a Mr. 
James Coles, and emigrated to Hartford. Her name was 

Anne. Her son, William Edwards married Agnes , 

sister to the mayors of Exeter and Barnstable, England. 
His son, Richard, married Elizabeth, daughter of William 
and Elizabeth Tuthill from Northamptonshire, and was the 
father of Timothy. The mother of Jonathan Edwards 
was Esther, daughter of Rev. Solomon Stoddard of North- 
ampton, and his wife, Mrs. Esther Mather, daughter of 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 155 

Rev. Joseph Warliam of Windsor. The mother of Mr. 
Stoddard was Mary Downing, daughter of Anthony Down- 
ing, wlio came from the west of England, and sister of 
Sir George Downing. 

But it may be objected, that not one passenger of the 
May Flower has been mentioned in all the pedigrees 
which have been given, unless we except Elizabeth Til- 
ley, an ancestress of Mrs. Joseph Woodbridge. Many 
confound the Plymouth Pilgrims with the Puritans ; 
whereas, they were a perfectly distinct religious body. 
By the Puritans, the Plymouth adventurers were consid- 
ered as ultraists, though very excusable ones. They did 
not believe the Church of England to be the Church of 
Clu'ist ; and as they set sail for the New World, bid " fare- 
well to Babylon, fai'ewell to Rome." The Puritans, on 
the contrary, were members of that Church, and sought 
its purity, until some of its sons, dishonoring their mother, 
as they believed, ejected them, and compelled them to seek 
shelter in the wilderness, already broken by the Pilgrims. 
As they left England, they implored the prayers of the 
established church, and bid '' farewell to dear England ; 
farewell to the Church of God in England ; and to all the 
christian friends there." It is fi-om this body of Chris- 
tians, separate in organization, yet holding fellowship in 
spirit Avith all true believers, that the materials have been 
th-awn for the building of the Stockbridge Church. 

To return then from this digression. Jonathan Edwards 
commenced the study of Latin at the age of six, and 
entered Yale College before he was thirteen yeai'S of age. 
He received the degree of bachelor at sixteen, and after 
two years of further study at the same institution, was 
licensed to preach the Gospel. His first settlement was 
with his gi'andfather at Northampton, Feb. 15, 1727, hav- 
ing held the office of tutor at Yale from the SiDring of 
1724, until the time of his call, Sept. 1726. For several 
years he was much beloved ; and after the death of Mi-. 
Stoddard in 1729, he had the sole charge of the flock. — 
But he soon felt that the jjlan of admission to the church 
then in general practice was injurious to its prosjierity, 
and boldly avowed his dissent whenever called upon to do 
so. At first tills gave no offense ; but when a personal 
dislike was felt, some time afterward, the innovation upon 



156 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT : 

established customs was violently opposed, and Jan. 22, 

1750, lie was dismissed. 

After the death of Mr. Sergeant, both the whites and 
Imlians had united in calling Kev. Dr. Hopkins of Great 
Bari'ington to become their pastor. Dr. Hopkins, besides 
feeling himself incompetent, as he tells us, wished to 
secure the place for Mr. Edwards, with whom he had 
studied, and proposed liim as a candidate, " recommending 
him in the highest terms." He also wrote to the Commis- 
sioners upon the subject ; and the result was, that a call 
was sent him early in the same year, 1750, both from 
Stockb ridge, and from Boston. January, 1751, he came, 
spent the winter here, and accepted the call soon after his 
return. Again he came to Stockbridge the third week in 
in June, returned the last of July, and, the first week in 
August, brought his family. He was installed Aug. 9, 

1751. He purchased the house which had been built by 
Mr. Sergeant in the village, and added a back part to it of 
one story. He did not immediately sell his house in 
Northampton ; and as he bought other land, he became 
for a time much involved. In January, 1752, he speaks 
of great peace in outward circumstances, but as being in 
debt £2,000 ; probably old tenor, which was then but one 
half the sterling value. He received his salary as mis- 
sionary, from London, and from the Legislature. As 
pastor, he received £6 13s 4d, from the whites, besides 
forty shillings for wood; no doubt, sterling value. He 
did not attempt to learn the Indian language, believing it 
better for the Indians to learn English. In 1753, he 
speaks of a revival among the Indians. But his church 
records have not been found, and nothing is known of 
admissions to the communion. None were ever admitted 
upon the half-way-covenant plan after his settlement. 

In August, 1752, he commenced his treatise on the 
" Freedom of the Will," accomplished little until Decem- 
ber, but completed it before April, 1753. In July, 1754, 
he was seized with the fever and ague, and was not able 
to throAV off the chills until January, 1755. He had taken 
charge of two Indian boys ; but was too much prostrated 
to discharge his ordinary duties. In the Spring of 1755, 
he commenced the two Avorks — " God's End in Creation," 
and " The Nature of Virtue." About the same time he 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 157 

sent his son Jonathan to Onohquaga, to live with Mi*. Haw- 
ley and learn the Lidian language, having designed him 
for a missionary ; but the French War drove them from 
the field before he had been there a twelvemonth, and both 
returned to Stockb ridge. In May, 1756, the town was 
felt to be in such danger that Mr. Edwards and family 
were invited to take shelter with Dr. Bellamy of Bethle- 
hem ; but he seems not to have forsaken his flock. As 
has been before observed, the house previously occupied 
by Col. Ephraim Williams was garrisoned during this war. 
The soldiers were quartered upon the inhabitants for food, 
and Mr. Edwards speaks of four as his quota. Two of 
these were Captains Hosmer and Stebbins. During the 
summer of 1755, the soldiers stationed here were from 
Connecticut. But in September of that year they had 
been withdrawn; and, as nearly every Indian capable of 
bearing arms had been urged into the service by Governor 
Shirley, besides the whites, upon the promise of an army 
of defence being stationed hei'e, Mr. Edwards wrote to 
Colonel Israel Williams for relief. 

In May, 1757, he wrote the Preface to the work on 
" Original Sin ;" and he had commenced that on the " Har- 
mony of the Old and New Testaments," and had in con- 
templation the preparation for the press of his sermons en- 
titled " The History of Redemption," when his son-in-law, 
President Burr, died, September 24, 1757, and he was 
urged to become his successor. He had previously de- 
clined this ofiice, and now with great reluctance, he assent- 
ed, provided a Council, after hearing all his reasons, should 
decide upon a removal. January 4, 1758, the Council met. 
Dr. Hopkins was one of the number, and the Trustees of 
the College seem to have sent a delegation. The objec- 
tions of both pastor and people were listened to, and after 
deliberation, the Council brought in their decision, that the 
cause of Christ called more loudly for the labors of Mr. 
Edwards at Princeton than at Stockbridge. Mr. Edwai'ds 
always controlled his feelings in public ; but at this an- 
nouncement, he covered his face with his hands, and yield- 
ed to the relief of tears. 

And now that we have come to the period when his la- 
bors as a Pastor were legally closed, we will run over his 
pastoral life, and pick up the tln-eads of family history 
8 



158 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

which have been dropped ; for Mr. Edwards was a husband 
and a father, as well as a divme. July 28, 1727, Mr. Ed- 
wards married Miss Sarah Pierrepont, daughter of Rev. 
James Pierrepont of New Haven, and grand-daughter of 
Jolm Pierrepont of Roxbury. Mrs. Pierrepont was the 
daughter of Rev. Samuel Hooker of Farmington, and 
grand-daughter of Rev. Thomas Hooker, the distinguished 
founder of Hartford. Her christian name was Mary. The 
Pierrepont family were a branch of the family of the Duke 
of Kingston, Pierrepont being the family name ; and Mrs. 
Edwards w^as cousin to Mary Pierrepont — Lady Mary 
Wortley Montague — and 20 years younger. She was born 
January 9, 1710 ; and grafted, on an unusual stock of com- 
mon sense, a highly finished education. At an early age 
she was distmguished for her intimate acquaintance with 
the ancient classics. She was veiy beautiful too ; but her 
richest grace was an early, deep, fervent, and constant piety. 
At times she seemed almost rapt in visions of the unseen 
world, carried beyond what nature could long endure ; 
but these seasons did not leave her in a state of stupid 
re-action. On the contrary, she returned from the flight 
with wings as silver, and feathers as of yellow gold. Says 
her husband in after life, speaking of her even piety — " For 
a long season no cloud would interrupt her joy, or hope. 
All tears would be wiped away, all sorrows forgotten, save 
the sorrow for sin ; and, living only to the glory of God, 
she would receive frequent, plain, sensible, and immediate 
answers to her prayers, which indicated a close and vital 
union between her soul and her God, a constant intercom- 
munion with him, seldom enjoyed on earth." In short, Mr. 
Edwards and his wife were kindred spirits ; and they knew 
it, and enjoyed the advantages of such a similarity. The 
student was not a recluse, scarcely recognizing his own 
family ; but as iron sharpeneth iron, so these companions 
sharpened the piety of each other. The study of Mr. Ed- 
wards, while in Stockbridge, was at the west end of his 
house, opening from the west parlor ; a little nook. Once 
or twice during each day he called in his wife for prayer ; 
here they ahvays united in devotion after the family had 
retired at night ; and her visits for social interchange of 
thought were very frequent. His evenings were sjjent 
with his family in conversation upon the usual topics of the 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 159 

day ; but always upon religion at the last. On Saturday, 
all labor was closed before the setting of the sun; and the 
Sabbath was heralded in by a hymn of praise, and prayer. 

Still, President Edwards Avas a close student during his 
hours of study ; and he never rode to the woods, his daily 
exercise in summer, without taking his pen with him to 
note down any happy thought which occurred ; and in the 
night a pin was often stuck in his curtain to recall some 
idea in the morning. In the winter he cut wood half an 
hour or more, each day, for exercise. Usually he devoted 
thirteen hours of the twenty-four to study. During 
the afternoon he felt exhausted, and took a cup of strong 
tea, the same leaves being again used by his prudent wife 
for the evening meal. His own meals were finished be- 
fore those of his family ; and he would retire to his study 
and save the few minutes before he was recalled to say 
grace. To the government of his children he was very 
attentive ; but the temporal concerns of his household were 
left entirely to his wife. He knew his books, and his fam- 
ily, but never visited his people except in sickness, and did 
not know his own cattle. But he had not a happy talent 
at conversation, unless removed from all restramts, and 
consciously in the presence of true friends only. He 
seemed to be created expressly for the work wliich he ac- 
complished, that of preacher and author. 

The people of Stockbridge were generally united in Mr. 
Edwards, and much attached to him. Wlien he rose in the 
pulpit, they expected a treat, not of oratory, but of truth ; 
and though his sermons were long, very long indeed, and 
he held his notes in one hand, resting his elbow on the 
desk, and seldom raised the other hand, except to turn over 
his leaves, yet the congregation looked astonished and dis- 
appointed at the close, that the discourse had been no longer. 
The last Sabbath which he spent in Stockbridge, President 
Edwards read the 20th chapter of Acts, so touchingly ap- 
propriate, and preached from the text — " We have here no 
continuing city, &c." "When the day of his departure ar- 
rived, he made himself ready, took leave of his family, and 
stepped into the yard. Then turning back he said, " / 
commend you to God" and left. These were liis last words 
to them. 

In February he was inaugurated, and entered upon 



160 STOCKBKIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT : 

some of the duties of liis office. But the Small Pox was 
prevailing in Princeton ; and on the loth of that month 
he was inoculated. At first, all seemed well ; but some of 
the pustules being in the throat, he was unable to swallow 
the needful medicines, and, as it was expressed, " Jesus 
permitted him to fall asleep on the 22d of March, 1758." 

When the news reached Stockbridge, Mrs. Edwards was 
in feeble health ; but she bore it calmly, though deeply af- 
flicted, and fully recovered. Mi-s. Burr was inoculated 
at the same time with her father, and recovered. But 
April 27th she died, seemingly without any disease. Her 
physician said he could only say that " a messenger was 
sent to call her home." In September Mrs. Edwards went 
to Philadelphia to bring Sarah and Aaron Burr to Stock- 
bridge. She passed through Princeton in perfect health ; 
but on reaching Philadelphia, was taken ill, and died on 
the 2d of October. Her remains were taken to Princeton 
where they rest with those of her husband, and of Presi- 
dent and Mrs. Burr. She was^ years of age. 

The children of President Edwards were all born in 
Northampton. 

Sarah, Mi-s. Parsons, was born Aug. 25, 1728, on the 
Sabbath. 

Jerusha, born April 26, 1730. She was expected to 
have married Brainerd the missionary ; but they both died 
in 1747. 

Esther, Mrs. Burr, a woman of great piety, born Sab- 
bath, Feb. 13, 1732, married in Stockbridge, June 9, 1752. \ 

Mary, born Sabbath, April 7th 1734, — the mother of 
President Dwight. 

Lucy, born Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1736, — was with her 
father at the time of his death, and afterwards married 
Jahleel Woodbridge. 

Timothy, born Tuesday, July 25, 1738, married in 1760, 
and made a home in Elizabeth Town for the family. 
1^ Susannah, born Friday, June 20, 1740, — Mrs. Porter 
^ofHadley. 

Eunice, born Monday, May 9, 1743, — Mrs. Pollock of 
Carolina. 

Jonathan, born May 26, 1745, Sabbath, President of 
Union College. 

Elizabeth, bom Wednesday, May 6, 1747, died at 
Northampton, 1762. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 161 

Piei'repont, born Sabbath, April 8, 1750, died at Bridge- 
port April 14, 1826. 

The children of JNIrs. Burr were taken by Timothy Ed- 
wards, Esq. who returned to Stockbridge in 1771. In 
1775, Aaron was in Cambridge College, and from there 
joined the American Army and went with Arnold to Que- 
bec. He is said to have lived in Stockbridge. He was, 
in the family of his uncle, an inhabitant of this place for a 
few years, but was little at home, and obtained none of his 
training here. We do not claim him as a Stockbridge 
Man and are happy not to do so ; but it is pleasure to 
know that the child of such consecration showed signs of 
relenting at the close of his sinful career. 

That part of the house which President Edwards built 
has been taken down, and another erected in its stead. 
His couch was burned with the house of Rev. Dr. Field 
during his ministry among us ; but his cherry book-case, 
with its slidmg doors of the same material, his leaf chair, 
an article much used in those days, and his consulting 
desk, which is either hexagonal or octagonal, and turns on 
a pivot, may stiU be seen in the house of ]Mrs. Cowles of 
Canaan, Ct. 



SECTION XXX. 



SUCCESSOR OF PRESIDENT EDWARDS — DR. STEPHEN WEST. 

At the request of both Whites and Indians, the Council 
which met to dismiss President Edwards presented a re- 
quest to the Commissioners that they would " call" Rev. 
John Brainerd, the much loved brother of David Brain- 
erd to fill his place. The Trustees of the College of which 
he was one, were also requested to use their influence with 
Mr. Brainerd and his flock, to induce them to remove. 
Mr. Brainerd was, in 1753, pastor of the Indian congrega- 
tion in Bethel, New Jersey, and had at this time his con- 
gregation in Cranbury, in the same State. They were 
considered the most virtuous, and religious collection of 
Indians in the country, bemg the same which was taught 



162 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

by his brother. The Stockbriclge Indians offered them 
land for a settlement if they Avould consent to remove with 
their pastor. About that time, he Avas succeeded at Cran- 
bury by William Tenant, and removed to Great Egg Har- 
bor, from which place he removed to Brotherton, N. J. 
But his reply to Stockbridge is not known. 

At a Precinct Meeting in Feb. 1858, the Town voted 
to pay Mr. Stoddard, who was then preaching here, the 
same salary which had been paid to President Edwards, 
in proportion to the time Avhich he should remain. There 
seems to have beeii no wish to retain him longer than till 
another could be found ; but for what reason does not ap- 
pear. 

Jan. 1759, it was voted to pay Rev. Stephen "West an 
annual salary of £6 13s 4d, and 40 loads of wood delivered 
at his door, besides £40 settlement, lawful money, pro- 
vided he remained as pastor. To this offer he assented, 
and was set over the people by the ceremony of ordination, 
June 13, 1759, having been "introduced to the toAvn in 
November of 1758." 

Mr. West was descended from Francis West, who emi- 
grated from Salisbury, England, to Duxbury, by invita- 
tion, in the very early days of the Colony, and married 
Margery Reeves. Samuel, their eldest son married Tri- 
phosa Partridge, and was the father of Francis, who married 
Mercy Mina, and with his son, Judge Zebulon West, was 
among the early settlers of Tolland, Conn. Zebulon was 
the father of Stephen. His mother was Mary Delano, of 
Dartmouth, Mass. He was born in Tolland, Nov. 2, 1735 ; 
graduated at Yale College in 1755, studied Theology at 
Hatfield with Mr. Woodbridge, teaching school at the 
same time ; was licensed by the Hampshire Association, 
it is supposed near the close of 1757, or the beginning of 
1758, and was soon after stationed at Fort Massachusetts 
in this County, as Chaplaui. There he could have 
remained but a few months. 

Soon after his settlement, he married Miss Elizabeth 
Williams, daughter of the late Col. Ephraim Williams ; 
and commenced house keeping in the dwelling erected by 
that gentleman, and used during the war as a Fort. 

When settled, Mr. West was Arminian in his sentiments, 
and perhaps favored the Stoddardean views. But the 



Oa, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 163 

church were knoAvn to be established in the opposite doc- 
trine, from the fact of their settling, and retaining Presi- 
dent Edwards, even while he was still, through the press, 
cai'iying on the controversy with Mr. Williams of Leba- 
non ; and Dr. West went forward in the course since pur- 
sued. There were at that time but four settled pastors, 
besides himself, within the present limits of the County, 
viz. Rev. Jonathan Hubbai'd of Sheffield ; Rev. Thomas 
Strong of New Marlborough ; Rev. Adonijah Bidwell of 
Tyrmgham, and Rev. Samuel Hopkins of Barrington. 
With Dr. Hoi^kins he soon formed an intimacy. Their 
sentiments were unlike, but both loved discussion ; and the 
result of their discussions was a cliange of Mr. West's 
views, from Arminian, to the extreme of Calvinism. Be- 
lieving that some would be lost, he reasoned that hence it 
was for the glory of God, and should be fully acquiesced in 
by his saints ; and, if they were willing that any should 
perish, to be disinterested, they must be Avilling, them- 
selves to be lost ones, and forever hate, and blaspheme 
their rightful sovereign and Savior, because he would thus 
be most glorified. Reasoning, not without plausibility, 
until we reach the result, and confront it with such Scrip- 
tures as — " He is not willing that any should perish ; " " As 
I live, I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, 
&;c." " Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much 
fruit." But in the case of Mr. West, the change was for 
good, and resulted, as he ever after believed, in his true 
conversion ; not however until after a long season of con- 
flict. The first person in his parish who noticed the 
change, was Mrs. Churchill. She was a very pious wo- 
man ; and on returning from church the Sabbath after it 
took place, remarked that Mr. West was a new man. 
From this time must be dated his christian character. 
Doubtless he was exact, and systematic in many things be- 
fore, but now his system was sanctified. 

Dr. West was jjeculiarly methodical. To commence 
with the Sabbath ; — His shoes were always brushed, and oth- 
er personal preparations for the day of rest completed before 
the setting of the sun on the previous day, and Saturday 
night was really kept. On the Sabbath, no one was al- 
lowed to stroll in the street, fields, or even in the garden, 
over whom he had any control. His sermons were not 



164 STOCKBKIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

extempore, but only the leading ideas Avere noted down. 
One sermon would cover one quarter of a sheet of paper, 
and he always kept two or more on hand. His hours for 
close study were in the morning, between breakfast and elev- 
en o'clock : then he wished to be by himself. The remainder 
of the day he often spent in his parlor ; (generally so, un- 
til the latter part of his life, when Mrs. West sat in the 
study,) and even children who might be at his house, ran 
in and out at pleasure, without fear or restraint. Few 
students who have never been fathers, preserve a mind so 
free in old age, to enjoy, and enter into the feelings of 
childhood. He was not gay ; but always mild, kind, and 
affectionate ; so that while there was an unwillingness to 
displease him, there was no fear of offending. It is the 
testimony of an adopted daughter, that during the whole 
of her residence in his family, she never for once saw his 
temper in the slightest degree ruffled : and his colleague, 
who spent several years in his family, when too he was in 
the decline of life, says that he never saw him offended 
except in one instance ; and then he quickly repented, and 
went to the kitchen to confess his fault, and ask forgive- 
ness of the domestic whom he had sharply rebuked. His 
even habits had their foundation in an even temper. 

When dressed in the morning, he always retired for pri- 
vate devotion. For breakfast he always ate a piece of 
toast of the same size, and drank two and one-half cups of 
coffee. With his tea, he ate a little bread, but no delica- 
cies ; and then, about seven in the evening, directed his 
housekeeper to cook for him a bit of meat, measuring the 
size on his finger. Occasionally she would cook a little 
more, sure of having it herself, for he never overstepped 
his prescribed limits. After this meal, he again retired for 
devotion ; and after his second evening pipe, summoned 
the family for domestic worship, and retired for the night, 
expecting his household to do the same. This, if he was 
not particularly fatigued : but when weary from any 
cause, he wished to sit up and rest himself, after the 
house was quiet for the night. 

His boots and shoes stood in the same place from year, 
to yeai', and his hat, whip, and overcoat, were always 
hung on the same nails. If about to undertake a journey, 
his hat and whip were taken down the night before start- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 165 

ing, and laid upon the table. As he nevei' traveled m 
public conveyances he laid his plans for each day ; and 
Miss Strong of Hartford once told him, that she be- 
lieved the elements were subject to him, for his plans were 
always accomplished. It was often remarked, that his 
wife knew as well when to have his tea ready if he was 
to return from Newport, as if he had only gone to the vil- 
lage. He would never return on Saturday if it could be 
avoided ; and never, once excepted, rode on the Sabbath 
in making his exchanges. Once the preservation of health 
required that he should not spend a second night where 
he could not sleep ; a measure to which his brother, a 
boarder, and in no haste to return to his study, predicted 
he would be driven. He had no faith in dispensations to 
the teachers ot morality, to set aside any of its claims ; in 
a division of labor which should extend to preaching and 
practice, in any particular. Upon this point his principles 
were well defined, firm and unswervingly cari'ied out. 

In person he was small ; and he always wore the cocked 
hat and short clothes common in his younger days, with 
" bands" at the neck like the Episcopal clergyman. By 
his people, and by others, he was beloved, and reverenced. 
It is related of a little boy in one of the neighboring towns, 
that being compelled to pass at night-fall through the 
woods with his cow, he always repeated constantly, — " Old 
Dr. West; Old Dr. West;" sure that no harm would come 
near him while he possessed such a protection. 

In 1775, Dr. West resigned the care of the Indians to 
Mr. Sergeant, and received his support entirely from the 
whites. His salary was then £80 ; one year during the 
Revolutionary War it was not paid, and the town were for 
some time behind. But at length it was raised and he 
was thus enabled to paint his house, and indulge himself 
in some other comforts not before enjoyed. In 1792, he 
received from Dartmouth College the degree of D. D. ; 
and at the founding of Williams College 1793, he was cho- 
sen one of the trustees, and also Vice President ; which 
offices he held until age obliged him to resign, in 1812. 

As an expounder of the Scriptures, Dr. West is said to 

have had no equal in the country ; and he was much in 

the habit of expounduig on one part of the Sabbath. In 

this way, he went twice through the New Testament. As 

8* 



166 STOCKBEIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

a preacher, lie was higlily esteemed. As a scholar, he 
was deep and industrious. Besides Latin and Greek, he 
read Hebrew, but not readily. He was conversant with 
the Septuagint. The church enjoyed several seasons of 
revival under his ministry, and lie admitted three hundred 
and eighty-four persons to the church by profession. Of 
these, twenty -two were Indians. Nine hundred were bap- 
tized during the same period. When Dr. West married 
people of color, he always received the fee, but presented 
it to the bride. 

The published works of Dr. West were mostly single 
sermons, but some were of a lai'ger size. His Essay on 
Moral Agency was published in 1772, though preached 
soon after his conversion. Treatise on the Atonement, 
1785 ; Sermon on Marriage, and vindication of Stock- 
bridge Church for its course in the matter, 1779 and 1780 ; 
Sermon on the Impotency of Sinners, 1785 or 1790 ; Ser- 
mon preached at the execution of Bly and Rose, Dec. 6, 
1787 ; Ordination Sermons preached in 1795, 1802, 1806, 
and 1810, were published in the same order; Infant Bap- 
tism, 1795 ; two Sermons, 1797 ; Lifant Baptism, a second 
work, 1798 ; Prayer for Ministers, preached in 1802 ; 
Life of Dr. Hopkins, 1805 ; Funeral Sermon, 1808 ; 
three Sermons on the Creation, 1809 ; and an Essay on 
the Divinity of Christ, composed at the age of 80, and 
republished in England since his death, 1816. He also 
wrote for the various religious periodicals of the day. 

Dr. West was not a believer in the pre-millenial advent 
of Christ ; but he fully expected that that glorious morn- 
ing of the church would be preceded by great convulsions 
in the political world which would cut off many of the ene- 
mies of God. The return of the Jews to their o^vn land, 
too, and the tender love of the Clii'istian Church for that 
nation, " whose were the fathers, and of whom, concerning 
the flesh, Christ came," were, he believed, to be parts of 
the blessedness and holiness of the millenial period. It 
has been asserted that he believed in the eternal punish- 
ment of infants for the depravity of their nature, inherited 
from Adam, and he has been professedly quoted upon that 
point. But before his death, he publicly denied the senti- 
ments and remarks ascribed to him, and explained liis 
views as simply these — that if a parent truly gave up a 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 167 

child in baptism, it would be accepted and saved, whether 
it died in infancy, or lived to pass through the mental 
exercises of an adult convert. But, on the other hand, if 
this duty was purposely neglected, or if baptism was unac- 
comjjanied by a faith in the parent which was prepared to 
train the child for God, whatever provision the Gosjiel had 
made in behalf of the infant, the parent had no right to 
its consolations, and no revelation was granted to him upon 
the subject. He believed there was salvation for the child ; 
but no covenant being entered into, and the child being 
incompetent to receive a promise, the whole matter lay in 
the secret councils of a holy God. 

The people of Stockbridge were well indoctrinated 
under the ministry of Dr. West. His conference meet- 
ings, and his meetings for young men, and those for young 
women, in which questions were given out and written 
upon, were good schools of theology. But besides his 
own people he had many theological students, who fitted 
for the ministry under his care. Among them were Mr. 
Seth Swift, Mr. Freegrace Reynolds, Mr. Gamaliel Olds, 
Mr. Jacob Catlin, Mr. Amsworth, IMi-. Hallock, Mr. Sam- 
uel Spring, Mr. Samuel Whelpley, Mr. Amasa Jerome, 
Mr. John Sergeant, Mr. Steel, Mr. Prince Hawes, Mr. 
Thomas Robbins, Mr. Benjamin Bell, Mr. Holland Weeks, 
Mr. Elijah Wheeler, Mr. Peter P. Roots, Mr. Aaron Col- 
lins, Mr. Gordon Dorrance, and Mr. E. G. Swift, after- 
wards his colleague, &c. Many of these were distin- 
guished in after life, particularly Dr. Spring, Professor 
Olds, Dr. Catlin, and Mr. Hallock. 

Tlie first wife of Dr. West was Miss Elizabeth Williams, 
as has been mentioned. His second wife was Miss Eleanor 
Dewey, daughter of Daniel Dewey of Sheffield, whom he 
married in Williamstown, in 1806. He was, of choice, 
dismissed from his charge, Aug. 27, 1818, and died May 
13, 1819, aged 84. His second wife died in Sheffield, 
March 14, 1827, at the age of 73. 



168 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AKD PRESENT; 



SECTION XXXI. 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

"We come now to the stirring scenes of the Revolution, 
scenes of as much interest perhaps in Stockbridge, as in 
any inland town not the seat of actual conflict. July 6, 
1774, a County Congress assembled here and sat two days, 
Wednesday and Thursday, passing resolutions, the princi- 
ples of which were to recommend Thursday, the 14th of 
the month, as a day of Fasting and Prayer, in the hope 
that im23ending evils might be averted. It passed on 
"Wednesday, and on Thursday they " solemnly, and in good 
faith, covenanted and engaged with each other," that they 
would " not import, purchase, or consume, or suiFer any 
person for, by, or under them, to import, purchase or con- 
sume, in any matter whatever, any goods, wares, or manu- 
factures, which should arrive in America from Great Brit- 
ain, from and after the first day of October next, or such 
other time as should be agreed upon by the American 
Congress ; nor any goods which should be ordered from 
thence from and after that day, until our Charter, and 
Constitutional rights should be restored, (except such arti- 
cles as Congress should choose to import,) unless it should 
be found that other Colonies would not unite in this policy, 
or that the policy Avas unavailing." That they would 
strictly observe all constitutional law and authority, dis- 
countenance riots, mobs, &c., and endeavor to promote 
harmony and love throughout the community ; withhold- 
ing, however, all intercourse with dissenters therefrom. 
And as these measures would deprive them of many com- 
forts and even necessaries, they resolved to use every 
prudent measure for relief, promoting the culture of flax, 
the raising of sheep, and the manufacture of such mate- 
rials as should be produced. 

Other similar meetings were held during the war ; and, 
besides resolves, such was the action of the Berkshire 
people, — and Stockbridge, it is said, " performed a good 



OK, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 169 

deal of revolutionary service," — that a Congress of 1778 
could make the following declaration : — 

•' Your memorialists have, from the time of the Stamp Act, 
to the present day, manifested a constant and uniform abhor- 
rence and detestation, not only in sentiment, but overt actions, 
of all the unconstitutional measures taken by the British Par- 
liament to tax, depauperate, and subjugate these now United 
and Independent States of America. They can vie with any 
County in this State, not only in voluntarily appearing in 
arms upon the least notice, when their brethren in distress 
needed their assistance, as at the massacre at Lexington, the 
fight of Bunker Hill, &c., &c.. but also in filling up their 
quotas of men from time to time demanded, either by this 
State, or by the commanding officer in these parts ; although 
our situation has been such as might have justified the Gene- 
ral Court, had they called upon us for no such supplies ; over 
and above which, our zeal in the common cause has carried 
us beyond our abilities, in the frequent excursions against the 
common enemy, as in the battle of Bennington, in assisting 
Col. Brown in the capture of so many hundreds at the carry- 
ing-place at Ticonderoga, in the quelling of the lories at 
divers times in a neighboring State, and in other instances 
too numerous to enumerate." 

In Stockbridge, no hero of the Revolution survives to 
tell the story, and the town records, as might perhaps be 
expected, are incomplete, so that a meager account only 
can be presented of our own part in the conflict. It is a 
matter of history that the women of Berkshire engaged in 
the cultivation of the fields, that their husbands and fath- 
ers might shoulder the musket ; and in one district, at least, 
from which the most full returns have been obtained, it 
may readily be inferred that Stockbridge women must have 
held the plow. But, it may be asked, will woman defend 
the system of war, and commend those who have left the 
pruning-hook for the spear ? We answer — we reason on 
this subject as we reason on the system of ci'ime and its 
punishment — as we reason on the midnight assault of the 
robbex', and the bold defence of his family by the " house- 
band." We had an example of non-resistance in 1755, in 
the case of Mr. Chamberlain — and we condemn it without 
qualification. We had an example of heroic resistance at 
the same time in the conduct of Mr. Owen, and we com- 
mend it. Personal wrongs should be forgiven, and 
endured with much long suffering ; but law we must have ; 



170 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

public rights must be defended by those set for their 
defence, whether the belligerent be a beggar or a King ; 
and it was upon this principle that our struggle for Inde- 
pendence was carried on. Thanks then to Him who has 
all hearts in his hands, that our fathers did not escape 
through the windows when the British war knife entered 
their dwelling place, and was shakeu over the heads of 
their wives and children. Yes, a thousand thanks from 
woman's heart, that in the season of peril and death now 
to be recorded, the broad shield of manly strength, and 
manly daring, was extended over the wife, the mother, the 
sister and the daughter ; and in commendation of those 
who, under Providence, won for woman the blessings of 
our favored land, let her grateful voice rise first, and let 
it die last. 

How well Stockbridge was prepared for the struggle, 
with respect to military stores on hand, may be inferred 
from the small supply at that time in the colony. In 
1756 also, Avhen war was at their doors, the supply ordered 
to be purchased was only 30 lbs. of powder and 90 of lead. 

April 14, 1775, the whole amount of public stores was 
21,549 fire arms, 17,441 pounds of powder, 22,191 pounds 
of ball, 144,699 flints, 10,108 bayonets, 11,979 pouches; 
and those in the hands of the respective towns, exclusive 
of those in the Counties of Dukes and Nantucket, Avhich 
made no returns, were — fire arms 68, powder 357 1-2 bbls., 
flints 100,531, ball 66,781 lbs. ; bemg a little more than 
half a pound of powder to a man. Certainly there would 
have been no disposition to fight for the love of fighting. 
In 1775, Stockbridge borrowed £20 to purchase fire ai'ms. 
In 1774, two regiments of minute men were raised in 
the county by voluntary enlistments. 

The battle of Lexington was fought on Wednesday, 
April 19, 1775, and the news reached Berksliire on Fri- 
day about noon, men being sent to all parts of the country 
in the greatest possible haste. Indeed, they passed 
through a village in Worcester County, with such rapidity 
that the inhabitants half believed them spectres. Before 
sunrise on Saturday morning, the Berkshire regiment was 
on its way, " completely equipped in ai-ms, and generally 
in uniform." They had enlisted for eight mouths; but 
most of them enlisted afterwards for a longer period, and 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 171 

some during the war.* Among them were Deacon Sam- 
uel Brown, Thomas Williams, Esq., Avho resided on the 
Hill, a Major ; William Goodrich, who resided in the 
house now occupied by Mr. Bill, a Captain ; Captain 
James Stoddard, Jared and Elkanah Bishop, and probably 
Mr. Charles Stone, from the vicinity of the Pond, and Mr. 
Daniel Phelps, who was accidentally shot, May, 1775, and 
died in two days.f Maj. Elnathan Curtis is also believed 
to have been of the number. He resided near Curtisville. 
The company, being commanded by Col. Patterson of 
Lenox, marched directly to Cambridge, where it was 
re-formed and enlarged, and divided into northern and 
southern divisions. Col. Patterson received command of 
the first, and Col. Fellows of SheiBeld of the last. — 
Esquire Williams, the Bishops, and Capt. Stoddard, and 
probably Solomon Stoddard, Avere placed under Col. Pat- 
terson, and Capt. Goodrich and Maj. Curtis, under Col. 
Fellows. 



* This does not accord with the account repeatedly pub- 
lished ; and as Col. Edwards was consulted some months 
previous to his death, an apology is due to his friends for the 
liberty we have taken in departing from the testimony of a 
credible eye witness. Col. Edwards was, at the opening of 
the war, four and a half years old; and admitting the strength 
of early impressions, we must still prefer the testimony of the 
late venerable Judge Walker, who was an officer in the regi- 
ment of Col. i'atterson, and whose reminiscences were 
recorded by Dr. Field, from his own lips. Other circum- 
stances also tend to prove that the above statement is correct, 
and that the memory of Col Edwards retained, of two simi- 
lar names, the wrong one. The time of the battle is certain, 
and so also is the fact that the battle of Bennington was 
fought on Saturday, and that the news reached this vicinity 
on the Sabbath, New Marlborough at 11 A. M. Again, Maj. 
Curtis left his labor in the field to obey the sudden call of his 
country, a little time before the birth of one of his children. 
The births of his first two children, neither of whom lived, 
are not recorded. The third was born in May, 1778. It was 
not then, we suppose, when he went to Beiiningon, August, 
1777, but when he went to Cambridge. For these reasons, 
the scene described by Col. Edwards is believed to belong to 
a later date, and will be given at a future time. 

t See Appendix (H.) 



172 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

The northern division received employment soon after 
in Charlestown, and erected Fort No. 3, the tirst fort on 
the lines about Boston. This post they manned and 
defended, by command of Gen. Ward, on the 17th of June, 
the day of the Bunker Hill battle. Their object was to 
prevent an attack by the British upon the rear of the 
Americans actually engaged. Capt. Stoddard used to say, 
that when he saw the enemy coming uji he " found he was 
losing his countenance." Unwilling that his comrades 
should see him falter, he stepped aside to recover his 
courage ; but when he returned, " they all looked as pale 
as himself." Some time after this, when he had learned 
to control his features, he was asked how it happened that 
he was never afraid in battle. " O ! " he replied, " I am 
as much afraid as any of you, but I don't show it." 

There are others, whose names have been given as soldiers 
of the Revolution, from Stockbridge, and who, very proba- 
bly, belonged to these regiments ; but no incident of their 
history gives them any particular locality. Gen. Marsh, 
who kept a public house here, is believed, by his daughter, 
to have been in the Lexington engagement; but more 
probably he was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was 
in the army at some period, as Captain of a company of 
minute men raised in Stockbridge, and being sick most of 
the time, Moses Nash, who was Lieutenant, took the com- 
mand in his absence. Deacon Samuel Brown was Com- 
missary. 

The regiment of Col. Fellows was employed about 
Roxbury until the British evacuated Boston, March, 1776, 
after which they were ordered to New York. A part of 
Col. Patterson's command volunteered to follow Arnold up 
the Kennebec, and across the Avilderness to Quebec. — 
Among them were Esquire Williams and the Bishops. 
Esquire Williams belonged to a detaclmient which 
returned from the mouth of Dead River, owing to the 
impossibility of obtaining sustenance for all ; the Bishops 
seem to have gone forward. Their hardships were dread- 
ful ; at one time Jared Bishop had no regular food for 15 
days except one sea-biscuit. 

This company left on the 13th of Sej)tember, and were 
engaged at Quebec, Dec. 31, when Arnold received his 
first wound. The Americans were foiled in their attempt 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 173 

upon the city, and the winter was one of suffering. The 
small pox broke out, and the soldiers being bent upon 
inoculating themselves, multitudes were sick at one time. 
They had one station on the river, called the Cedars ; but 
Ai-nold was at^Montreal, forty miles distant. 

We must now return to the remainder of Col. Patter- 
son's regiment who were left at, or who returned to, Bos- 
ton. These went Avith the detachment of Col. Fellows to 
New York, and from thence they were ordered to Quebec, 
to assist the force about to join Arnold. On their way, 
Esquire, then Lieutenant Colonel, Williams, was taken ill, 
and left at Skenesborough, where he died July lOth. 
Before the company reached Canada, they heard of the 
ill success of the American arms, but probably felt that 
they were only the more needed, as they pressed on. 
Soon after reaching Montreal, they heard of an attack 
upon the Cedars, to which some of them had immediately 
been dispatched. Arnold marched with his force from 
Montreal, but learned of the surrender of the Fort before 
reachins it. The fear of the Indians, rather than the 
power of the enemy, had gained this victory ; and now 
Ai'nold was compelled to sign the cartel, which he was 
told had been signed by the Commander, and threatened 
that a refusal would be the death-warrant of eveiy pris- 
oner. This act was censured by Congress ; and it is 
known that one officer from Canaan, Ct., by the name of 
Stephens, refused at this time to surrender to the British, 
until his own commander threatened to fire upon him if he 
persisted in his resolution. The regiment of Col. Patter- 
son retreated after this affair and spent a short time at 
Crown Point. They then went to Ticonderoga, crossed 
the bay, and fortified Mount Independence in Orwell, 
where they remained until November. During that month 
they were marched to Albany, and there shipped to Esopus, 
from whence they proceeded through the Minisink coun- 
try, through Nazareth and Bethlehem, and joined the 
army under Washington at Newtown, Pa. When they 
left New York, the regiment of Col. Patterson numbered 
more than GOO ; but when it was again united to that of 
Washington, it had been reduced to 220. Some had fallen 
in battle, some had died of small pox, others had been left 
in Canada as hostages or prisoners, and others still had 
been left sick by the way. 



174 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Nor had the company of Col. Fellows been idle. 
During the summer of '76 they were with Washington in 
and about New York, and at its close were, sent to aid the 
detachment posted near Kip's Bay. On their march, they 
met the van-guard retreating in terror from the fire of 
Clinton, who had landed 4000 men at that point. The 
regiments of Parsons and Fellows caught the panic ; and 
though Washington was behind, hastening to their relief, 
the soldiers fled in all directions. It now became neces- 
sary to evacuate New York, and tliis was effected by Gen. 
Putnam with little loss. Major Curtis was among those 
who withdi'ew, and was warmly engaged in an action 
which took place at the time. " This is hot work," he 
remarked, wiping the perspiration from his face with the 
sleeve of his coat, " hot work." He was also at the battle 
of White Plains, Oct. 28th of that year, and from thence 
perhaps followed the fortunes of his comrades to Newtown, 
where we may now, probably, find all the remaining sol- 
diers of the first two Berkshire regiments, though we have 
been able but imperfectly to trace the movements by 
which they have reached that point. 

The campaign had been a disastrous one. The British 
were in possession of Philadelphia, and Cornwallis was in 
New York, nearly ready to sail for England, freighted 
with the intelligence that no further resistance would be 
made. Some bold stroke was necessary on the part of 
Washington; and it must be successful or all was lost. 
The enemy, expecting nothing from a handful of ragged, 
starving soldiers, were at ease, and a surprise might turn 
the scale in our favor. The 24th of December came. 
The night gathered cold and dark, the snow fell fast, and 
the roads were slippery. Little did Gen. Howe look for 
the Christmas visit which Washington was preparing to 
pay him. But starving men could brave a storm to obtain 
sustenance, and northern men, at least, were familiar with 
snow. 

Washington divided his soldiers into three companies, 
and ordered them to cross the Delaware at different points, 
and attack Howe at Trenton. Those who had returned 
from Canada, if not the southern Berkshire division, were 
with him, and his was the only portion which effected 
a passage. At three o'clock in the morning, before the 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 175 

merry salutations of the day had commenced, the British 
were surprised. History gives tlie particulars of the bat- 
tle ; suffice for us to say, that the Americans took one 
thousand prisoners, and one thousand stand of arms, 
besides six field pieces, with the loss of only two killed, 
and two frozen to death. They then secured Philadel- 
phia, and the next day recrossed the river. 

This was the opening of a new day for the country. 
Hope brightened ; fears were thrown to the winds ; and 
the army of Washington increased so rapidly, that early 
in January he was able to recross the river with five thou- 
sand men. Cornwallis abandoned his projected voyage, 
and proceeded to New Jersey. The advance party met 
the army of "Washington at Princeton, and, under com- 
mand of Mawhood, made an attack, ignorant of the 
strength of their foe. Here the battle of Princeton was 
fought, Jan. 2, 1777. Washington is represented as 
mounted on liis white steed, and looking, as he rode above 
his army, " more like a guardian angel, than like a man." 
Cornwallis came in sight just as liis army took the road to 
Morristown, at which place, the Berkshire soldiers still 
with him, he took up liis winter quarters. And there we 
must leave them for the present, and look in once more 
upon the old home. 

During the summer of 1776, a regiment from Berkshire 
proceeded to Ticonderoga under the connnand of Samuel 
Brewer, Colonel ; and as Dr. Erastus Sergeant was one 
summer at Ticonderoga under Capt. Cook of Curtisville, 
and his son remembers to have seen the muster roll among 
his father's papers, the probability is that he was Orderly 
Sergeant in the company. 

By this time the depreciation of the currency had 
become very considerable, and the expense of supporting 
the army a serious question. In March, 1775, the town 
had voted that Congress should go on as usual in collect- 
ing taxes agreeably to law, and be supported therein. In 
January, 1776, with but one dissenting voice, it was voted 
that the inhabitants of Stockbridge would support civil 
authority in this county ; and at the same time £50 was 
voted to purchase ten tents for the inhabitants. In 
December of the same year. Col. Brown of Pittsfield was 
sent to Mount Independence with a regiment of militia, 



176 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ', 

but we find no evidence that Stockbridge men were among 
them. In 1777, large bodies of men were dispatched to 
assist Generals Stark and Gates in opposing the jilans of 
Burgoyne, and in these our citizens were more or less 
engaged. It was during that winter that Agrippa Hull 
was enlisted, and of course others were engaged at the 
same time. Capt. Goodrich had returned, and was 
engaged as recruiting officer. But Capt. Stoddard was in 
the battle of Bennington, and therefore may be numbered 
as now enlisted for a second time, and for this service. 
Maj. Curtis also had returned previously to that battle, 
and was one of twenty minute men who stood ready at the 
time. Jahleel Woodbridge, Esq., was commander of the 
band. 

In August, Col. Baum, as is well known, was sent by 
Burgoyne to plunder the American stores at Bennington. 
Alarm spread through the country, and Gen. Stark, with 
all the characteristic ardor of his Irish soul, and with the 
forgiving spirit of a true patriot, buried his real or sup- 
posed wrongs in the sod which he had tilled, exchanged 
the plow for the sword, and rushed to the defence of his 
adopted country. Berkshire men, from towns as far south 
as Pittsfield, joined his army, and others stood ready to go 
at the sound of the signal guns. Several parties were met, 
and still the enemy pressed on, halting only at the distance 
of four miles from the town. New supplies were at hand, 
and Stark resolved to attack Baum m his camp before he 
should be reinforced. The encampment was on a branch 
of the Hoosuck, called variously Walloon Creek, Wal- 
loomsack, &c., near Van Schaack's Mills, and within the 
bounds of New York. The day was Saturday, Aug. 16, 
1777. The Hessian commander did all that could be done ; 
but after two hours of hot conflict, the Hessians gave way, 
and the army was routed. Soon Breyman came up with 
a reinforcement and renewed the battle. Stark, however, 
was also reinforced by Warner, and maintained his position. 
The engagement was kept up until dark, and then Brey- 
man escaped with a small part of his force to the British 
camp, leaving his artillery and baggage to be added to the 
American stores which Baum had been sent to secure. 
This action had been preceded by a day of solemn fasting 
and prayer in New Hampshire, in view of the impending 
dangei". 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 177 

In Stockbridge, the booming of the cannon alone told 
of the battle. There was danger — there was death and 
desolation somewhere ;* but " where ? " and " how near ? " 
" who were sutFeriug ? " and " how soon ? " and " from what 
quarter ? " the foe might be upon them with fire and sword, 
was left for torturing imagination to answer. Those whose 
names were on the minute roll, might be summoned at any- 
instant to exchange home and all that they had garnered 
there for the tent and the battle-field, and those who had 
friends in the northern army justly imagined them in the 
conflict. And as that night gathered its curtain of unusual 
darkness around their dwellings, as families turned from 
the untasted meal to prepare for the possible midnight 
attack, or for the sudden warning to the enlisted ; as the 
yet unbroken circle gathered once more around the family 
altar, trustful devotion seeking to gaua the mastery, over 
fears and murmurings, — or as the prayerless household, 
without God and Avithout hope, sought the pillow which 
contained no promise, — fancy fails to tell the varied, and 
ever varying emotions which surged the hearts of all in 
this, our now safe and quiet dwelling place. But the 
night passed, undisturbed except by the bark of some 
wakeful sentinel at the door, the frightful dreams of child- 
hood, the rustling of the leaves, or the pattering of the 
rain-drops ; and a Sabbath morning, almost of necessity, 
brought some hope of good. The frugal board was again 
spread and welcomed, the prayerful breathed gratitude for 
deliverance, and the timid child laughed at its dreamy ter- 
rors, climbed the father's knee, looked fearlessly into the 
face of a parent — not a soldier — and, as it was not wont 
on other Sabbaths, talked gaily of the gun and knapsack 
now thrown aside. Even the cold, drizzling rain was half 
enjoyed in the comfort of protection from its power, — when 
suddenly a gun is heard ! and as they listen, breathless, 
another, and still another. " To arms ! to arms ! " Not a 
child but understood their dreadful import, and not a heart 
in Stockbridge but beat that moment with anxiety or grief. 
A few pai'ting words, a few hasty kisses, and we must 
leave the cradle and the hearth-stone, for the scenes which 
were transpiring in the village — the exterior of war, with 
which, alone, history has usually anything to do. 

The village, as all must know, was not what we have 



178 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

known it. The public house was low, though of two sto- 
ries, and entered by a door cut crosswise. The corner 
now occupied by Mr. Curtis was vacant, and only two or 
three small houses stood between that corner and the next. 
School-house Lane was not then opened. Two houses, only, 
stood below the dwelling of Capt. Goodrich ; and west of 
Major Owen's there was the former residence of Mr. Ser- 
geant, (then the dwelling of Mr. Kirkland,) a low house 
occupied by Mr. James, (father of the distinguished phy- 
sician of that name,) Mr. Tucker's, (now Mr. Brinton's,) 
Widow Betty's, the " Peck house," and perhaps the houses 
now owned by Mr. Carter, and Mrs. Curtis. At eight 
o'clock Jalileel Woodbridge and Deacon Nash came from 
the east, and taking their stand at the corner, fired two 
signal guns. Timothy Edwards, Esq., had built the house 
now owned by Major Owen, (of one and a half stories, 
with a porch in front, and a store across the east end.) At 
the sound of the alarm guns, he took down his own 
Aveapon, and, standmg beside them, fired the third. Soon 
the people began to assemble, some as spectators, and oth- 
ers equipped for service. Dr. West, too, came down the 
hill, with Bible in his hand and intercession in his heai*t ; 
the rain fell slowly, but coldly ; the pastor stepped upon 
the porch, his flock gathered around him, and there he 
read, and prayed, and counseled ; the partings were 
uttered, the hearts nerved to duty, and before noon the 
army was on its march. Esquire Woodbridge was Cap- 
tain. Dr. Partridge was either with them as surgeon, or 
had hurried onTbefore ; but of the men we only know that 
Major Curtis was among them. The express had been 
sent before the event of the engagement could be conjec- 
tured, and the soldiers pressed on until near daylight on 
Monday morning, when they met another herald, and 
learned that the battle was over and the victory won. 

Dr. Partridge used often to relate, that during the busy 
scenes which followed the conflict, he noticed blood upon 
the sleeve of Capt. Stoddard, and remarked to him — 
" Well, Captain, you were shot." " Why, no," was the 
answer, "not that I have known." The ball had not 
entered his arm ; but it had grazed it deeply, and so great 
had been the excitement, that this was his first knowledge 
of the fact. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 179 

After this victory, Col. Brown was sent by Lincoln 
from Pawlet, Vt., to the north end of Lake George — a 
successful expedition ; David Pixley is believed to have 
been of this company. August 22d, the siege of Fort 
Schuyler, on the Mohawk, Avas raised, — soon after which, 
Capt. Gregg, one of our officers at that station, was so 
wonderfully preserved by the sagacity of Tray, " his dog, 
the trustiest of liis kind," a circumstance famihar to the 
readers of the American Preceptor ; — Gates, having taken 
the place of Schuyler, had been reinforced by a detach- 
ment sent from New Jersey by Washington, and Septem- 
ber 19th, fought the victorious battle of Stillwater; Mor- 
gan frequently met and defeated the Indians about 
Saratoga, until both Indians and Tories deserted the 
British army ; September 29th, the army of Lincoln 
joined that of Gates; October 7th, another battle was 
fought, disastrous to the Bi'itish, Fort Edward was reta- 
ken, and October IStli, Burgoyne made proposals of sur- 
render to Gates, which were confirmed on the 16th, and 
the splendid British army which had spread terror through 
the country, grounded arms at the command of its officers, 
and became a company of prisonei's. The regiment under 
Col. Patterson was in tliis engagement, but whether sent 
by Washington Avith Moi'gan, or forming a part of the 
army of Lincohi, does not appear ; most probably, how- 
ever, the first. Daniel Gaines of Curtisville was shot by 
an Lidian while on guard at Fort Edward ; but at what 
time, is not specified. His mother was sister to old Mr. 
Churchill, and lived opposite the present " white factory." 

The news of this victory soon reached Stockbridge, and 
as Dr. Pajtridge was about to pay a visit to Hatfield, he 
scattered it along the way as he went. Preparations were 
made for the supply of the prisoners, as they passed on to 
Boston, whence they were to sail for England. But it was 
finally decided to send them to Virginia. 

In November of that year, a meeting was called in 
Stockbridge to levy a tax for the support of the families 
of non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, agree- 
ably to the act of Legislature. £80 was decided upon as 
the sum. March, 1778, £36 was voted for the purchase 
of tents, to be immediately procured. May, £210 were 
ordered to be borrowed for the payment of seven men to 



180 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

be enlisted for nine months, according to Legislative 
requirements, and in November £100 more, for the sup- 
port of families. In August of this year another County 
Convention was held, whose memorial has been noticed. 

In March, 1779, the town unanimously voted themselves 
bound by the doings of the " Great and General Court." 
In 1780, they voted £300 12s. to Elias Gilbert, and £789 
7s. to Asa Bement, for their services at the State Conven- 
tion. Besides the drain of war under usual circumstances, 
the continental currency had so depreciated that by the 
opening of the next year, seventy-two paper doUai's went 
for one of silver. 

June 5, 1780, the Selectmen were required to enlist the 
men ordered by the General Court, and on the 19th they 
were instructed to offer them twenty shillings a month in 
addition to the pay allowed by the Government. This 
was to be paid in silver or gold ; and they were to receive 
so much of the same in advance as they might immediate- 
ly need. £100 was raised for the purpose. July 7, the 
Selectmen were ordered to procure the horses required of 
the toAvn, and to make the purchases upon the credit of 
either the town or the State, as should be desired. £4,500 
were assessed for the same. It was also voted that the 
same sum should be paid to the three men now enlisted 
for six months, as had been paid to those enlisted in June. 
£10 were raised for the encouragement of the six months 
men. Every man who would voluntarily enlist in the 
militia for three months, was also promised twenty shil- 
lings a month over and above the State wages, and £50 
was raised for this purpose. £3000 Avas also voted for 
clothing for the army, being the same which was voted the 
previous year. Mr. Abel Curtis was appointed to distri- 
bute clothing to the army. He used often afterwards to 
speak of a poor little white haired boy, wliom he took with 
him, and who afterwards became a man of wealth and 
influence, and the proi^rietor of a township in New York, 
called, in honor of him, Pennington. 

Early in October, 1780, some of our citizens accompanied 
Col. BroAAm, Avho was sent to protect the Mohawk Valley, 
and stationed at Fort Arabia, in Palatine, N. Y. The 
English, Tories and Indians were in the habit of plunder- 
ing that county every autumn, and on the 19th of Oct., 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 181 

tlie blrtli-clay of Col. B., he received, at breakfast, a notice 
that they were coming througli the wood which terminated 
on rising ground a sliort distance from the Fort. He was 
ordered to attack them, upon the assurance that another 
band would fall upon them in the rear. Little farther 
relish Avas felt for the breakfast, and the band of one hun- 
dred and thirty vv ere soon ready for action. As they came 
to the open ground, the enemy emerged from the wood, 
and the action commenced. But no relief came, the Col. 
fell, and his men were chased three miles to Fort Paris, 
forty-five being killed. 

Daniel Churchill, of Curtisville, is supposed to have 
been among the slain. He was shot v/hen his fellow sol- 
diers were running from the Indians. Being lame, he 
could not keep up with them. This circumstance was to 
his mother a bitter ingredient in the cup : that his infirm- 
ity should be the cause of his death, instead of screening 
him from hai'm, was a sore trial. Josiah Bradley, of the 
east part of the town, never recovered from his exertions 
that day, though he lived many years, and engaged in 
active business. In October, Stockbridge granted £7000 
to purchase beef; and in December, twelve men being 
ordered, a committee was chosen to devise ways and 
means for their payment. They reported the same day, 
that the men should be promised, that the present value 
of wages ordered by Congress, should be kept good ; that 
£184 be assessed, to be paid in gold, silver or wheat; the 
town to borrow the same until it could be collected ; which 
must be done as soon as January 10, 1781. The men 
were to be paid S50 each, in gold or silver, and those who 
enlisted during the war, were entitled still to the bounty 
engaged by the Commonv/ealth. 

December "28, a committee was chosen to procure beef 
or grain ; and at an adjourmed meeting one week from 
that time, £18,000 were ordered to be assessed for the pur- 
pose, payable in money or in rye at $54, com $45, or oats 
at S27 per bushel. 

Jul}', 1781, £80 in silver or gold was ordered for the 
purchase of five thousand, eight hundred and seventy-four 
pounds of beef, and £50 for clothing. But this allowance 
for l^ecf was insufficient, for in September, £40 more were 
voted to make the sum required, and in March, 1782, £80 
still more were raised. 9 



182 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Another vote, of July 18, instructed the Militia officers 
to enlist the men required by the Act of June, engaging 
to them £3 10s. in gold or silver, (including wages,) per 
month, and twenty shillings bounty, to be paid before they 
marched. The sum assessed for the purpose was £140, 
silver or gold. This, as was repeatedly the case, was to 
be borroAved until it could be raised by taxation. 

April, 1782, £180 was ordered to be raised, to pay the 
notes given to the two years men in 1781, and at the same 
time £68 was ordered, to make the last payment to the 
three years men ; and also, four men were ordered to be 
enlisted on as reasonable terms as possible. In 1801 Con- 
tinental money passed entirely out of use. "The last pay- 
ment which I remember to have seen made in it," said one 
now deceased, "was at general training or on an election 
day, when SdOO was paid for a mug of flip." 

Jahleel Woodbridge Esq. was Commissary ; and while 
provisions were kept in his barn, military stores were de- 
posited in the cellar. Rev. Dr. "Woodbridge, his son, 
speaks of Ethan Allen as driving into town one Sabbath 
during the war, with a long train of sleighs, to procure 
provisions for the army. Mr. Isaac Curtis, of Curtisville, 
enlisted in the service, but was sent home to aid his coun- 
try in the more pleasant work of preparing flour. Elijah 
Jones enlisted as Orderly Sergeant, with a Commissary's 
commission, in March, 1781, but performed the duties of 
a common soldier until prevented by the sickness of which 
he died April 6, 1782. Caleb Bennett was out several 
times for a few months. Phineas BroAvn, a Surveyor, and 
nephew to Deacon Brown, who lived on the ground now 
occupied by Mrs. Dwight, but in the house now owned by 
Mr. M. Miller, was in the war, and at one time during his 
service, sick at Albany. Solomon Stoddard, Elijah, Elna- 
than and Wheeler Higbee of Curtisville, Paul Jones, 
Abner Rockwell, Lent Bradley, (the last two from East 
Street,) Elijah Andrews, from the Southwest part of the 
town, John Dean, and Mr. Ward, were also among the 
Stockbridge soldiers. John Jerome was a soldier, and a 
native of Stockbridge, but his residence in town at the 
time, is uncertain. Agrippa Hull was at the South, and 
it is said that those early engaged, were there after the 
taking of Burgoyne, and those enlisted later, most proba- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 183 

bly with Washington in the Middle States. Voluntary 
companies were also formed in the county for the extirpa- 
tion of Toxyism in the vicinity, and doubtless Stockbridge 
furnished a share of the men for this service.* But of 
these, and of the many regular soldiers whose names are 
not given, we have been able to gather nothing. April 
19, 1783, however, the treaty of peace was made known 
to the army, just eight years from the time when hostili- 
ties commenced, and all returned to be once more " men 
among their feUow men." 



SECTION XXXII. 



SECOND CHURCH IN STOCKBRIDGE. 

Notwithstanding the great expense of the Revolu- 
tionary struggle, our liberty was no sooner achieved than 
the people of Stockbridge commenced the erection of a 
new house of worship. In April, 1782, a committee was 
chosen, to be paid by the town, consisting of William 
Williams, Timothy Robinson, and Nathan Hall, who were 
requested to meet in behalf of Stockbridge, listen to any 
arguments which should be presented by Esquire Ed- 
wards, Judge Bacon, Deacon Nash, and Esquires Samuel 
and Elijah Brown, and giving to them such weight as they 
considered due, fix upon a site for the building. The 
report, presented by Mr. Williams, recommended a locality 
near the house of Elijah Brown, Esq., and earnestly sug- 
gested " that the people of Stockbridge should there erect 



*An old gentleman of Richmond used to remark that he 
then thought it no sin to shoot a Tory : and once meeting a 
man of that class on one of the mountains about Stockbridge, 
(we believe Monument,) he seized him, and was about to put 
him instantly to death. But the Tory begged a few moments' 
reprieve in which to commit his soul to God, which could not 
be refused. He knelt down, and the fervency of his prayer 
completely disarmed the spirit of his captor. He could shoot 
a Tory, but he could not shoot a Christian ; and his prisoner 
was set at liberty. 



184 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

a decent and honorable house, where they might with one 
heart and mind worship and serve the Great God of Love 
and Peace, wliich Avill continue to characterize this 
respectable people." 

In September, the sum of £1000 was voted for the 
building, to be paid in money, grain, or neat cattle, at the 
market prices ; the building committee being authorized to 
move from the exact locality recommended, twenty feet in 
either direction. But in January, 1783, the whole was 
reconsidered, and a committee chosen from both parts of 
the town, south and north, to consult together, and, if pos- 
sible, devise some measures which should give more gene- 
ral satisfaction. January 20th, they voted that the town 
unite in building a house on the high ground east of the 
house of Mr. Asa Bement, and that £700 be appropriated 
for that jiurpose. Tlie house was to be fifty feet by sixty, 
the posts twenty-six feet long, and the steeple sixty-two 
feet high, and erected at the east end of the house, oppo- 
site the pulpit. The pews were to be square. £200 were 
afterwards raised during that year, £380 in March of 1784, 
and £14 for the completion of the steeple in September 
of the last year. As it had been necessary to borrow 
some part of the funds, the money allowed to the town by 
the Commonwealth was appropriated for the payment of 
the debt. 

Another vote, of September, 1784, gave to Dr. Part- 
ridge the liberty of erecting at his own expense a large 
pew, over the entrance doors of the gallery, to be used by 
him as he pleased, during his residence in to'wm, except so 
much of it as should be occupied by the tythingmen. 

In 1785, the ground about the house was put in order, 
the sheds for horses built, and the house cleaned, and, 
doubtless, dedicated. But the situation was found to be a 
very bleak one. In May, 1797, alterations and repairs 
were ordered ; and again in 1804, besides internal I'epairs, 
it was voted, as a measure of safety, to reduce very much 
the height of the steeple. 

The lower part of the house was entered on three sides, 
aisles crossing each other at right angles ; and another 
aisle ran quite around the house, within the wall pews. 
Over the pulpit was a large, roofed projection, like the 
frame work of a canopy, designed to reflect the sound 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 185 

from the high, old-fashioned pulpit, upon the congregation 
below. The galleries tunied at right angles, and were so 
dee^) that back of the three parallel seats there was room 
for an aisle, and square pews. The communion table was 
hah" an ellipse ; and, when not in use, hung down from a 
breast-work in front of the pulpit. Behind this breast- 
work, and almost beneath the pulpit, was the seat for the 
pastor and deacons. The house Avas Avhite Avithout, but 
except the " high pew," and the pulpit, with its " sounding 
board," all was unpainted within. No carpets, it is 
believed, were ever introduced, and even the comfort of a 
stove Avas for 30 years unknoAvn ; yet many happy lioui's 
were spent there, and many grateful thoughts will revert 
to that spot as the song of praise swells on to all eternity. 

When the ground was prepared to erect this church, 
many human bones were discovered, supposed to be those 
of the Indians, overtaken and slain here by Major Talcott 
in 1675. 

Though only the orchard of Dr. West lay between his 
house and the ncAv church, the distance by the road was 
over two miles. He accordingly gave the ground, and a 
road Avas cut through in a nearly direct line, to the great 
accommodation, not only of the hill people and those in 
the east part of the toAvn, but also to the pedestrian villa- 
gers, Avho, during the summer season, almost universally 
preferred even a hill, with its freedom from dust, its shades, 
and its continuous and beautiful vieAvs, to the burning 
sands of the plain. 

This church Avas taken down soon after the erection of 
the one noAV occupied in the village, its bleak situation, 
and the decayed state of its tunbers rendering it an unsafe 
object to pass. 



SECTION XXXIII. 

THE SHAYS REBELLION. 

As we pass through the struggle of our country for 
freedom, all who know in the least Avhat it is to earn their 
bread, must Avonder Avhat could be left for the future sub- 



186 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

sistence of the people, and particularly of those in mode- 
rate circumstances. If they had not been called, them- 
selves, to the tented field, the support of those who had 
gone, as we have seen, required all, and more than all 
which could be spared, and private creditors being less 
urgent than public, heavy debts were incurred in procur- 
ing the necessaries of life. Often, too, the demands of the 
army could not be met by the people at large, and recourse 
must be had to loans from moneyed individuals, for which 
the towns became responsible. These must afterwards be 
paid by means of taxation. Previous to the war, the debt 
of Massachusetts fell short of £100,000 ; but now its pri- 
vate debt was more than £1,300,000, besides £250,000 
due to the officers and soldiers in their line of the army, 
and their proportion of the federal debt was not less than 
£1,500,000. How could the people be expected to endure 
this without complaints ? They had fought against taxes 
and imposts ; but now they found themselves ground lower 
by the government which they had bled to establish, than 
they had ever been by England ; and to increase the 
distress, the war, severe as it had been, had nevertheless 
fostered a roving, restless spirit, and in the higher classes 
a desire for foreign luxuries ; while, at the same time, it 
had nearly destroyed all foreign commerce. Money was 
almost the only export ; and so fast as application to busi- 
ness returned, and was directed to the restoration of com- 
mercial intercourse with Europe, the country was drained 
of its specie, to bring home to the rich what the poor 
could scarcely look through their needs to covet. 

In this state of things law-suits were numerous and dis- 
tressing ; and lawyers multiplied as their trade flourished, 
until both courts and lawyers came to be looked upon by 
the suffering, as enemies to the public welfare ; and this, 
not in Massachusetts only, but in several other states of the 
Union. But we have only to do now with the disturban- 
ces which convulsed our own Commonwealth, and spread 
terror once more among our own families. 

At first, peaceable measures were resorted to : the Legis- 
lature was petitioned, and tradesmen or farmers, rather 
than lawyers, were chosen to represent the people. But 
what could the Legislature do ? It could not create funds, 
nor pass sumptuary laws to restrain the expenses of the 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 187 

ricli ; nor declare a gregarian statute : and the proposal to 
issue a paper currency which should systematically depre- 
ciate, was discarded as unjust, and impolitic. Efforts were 
made, which we must not stop to enumerate ; but " the 
destruction of the poor is their poverty." Those who 
called loudest for reform, were the very persons whose 
straitened circumstances had shut them out from the means 
of gaining a clear and far sighted understanding of the 
difficulties under which they labored. There were others, 
whose wishes had been overruled in the House to their 
chagrin, and who were ready to lead on the multitude to 
rebellion, in the hope of gaining triumphs for themselves ; 
but there was still a nobler band who pitied the distress 
which they had not power to relieve. They felt that the 
discontented were struggling like the drowsy invalid, igno- 
rantly, and hopelessly, and they urged that it was but the 
impulse of misery, which should be quieted with the most 
compassionate care. They therefore refused to take up 
arms against their fellow citizens, preferring the fine to 
what they deemed a sin. Others again, particularly royal- 
ists, looked with an illy concealed pleasure upon the dis- 
content, as an argument in favor of a less republican form 
of government. The Senate too were disposed to show 
the utmost clemency ; and the evil had every opportunity 
to form, and gather strength before any force to oppose it 
could be raised, and depended upon. 

The counties of Hampshire and Berkshire felt that they 
were appraised too high, and, of course, paid more than 
their share of the taxes ; so that they raised one complaint 
above the usual number. Still the Convention of the mal- 
contents of Berkshire, held in Lenox, the last of August 
1786, was distinguished for its moderation, its just praise 
of the efforts of Government for their relief, its respect 
for the young Republic, its dissent to a depreciating cur- 
rency, and its solemn pledge to do all in the power of the 
members to support the Courts of Justice, and to allay the 
pi-evailing agitation. Had these principles but withstood 
the popular tide, otir county might have been spared the 
horrors of civil war ; but they did not, and Berkshire, and 
(we must confess it,) even Stockbridge men were among 
the insurgents. 

Passing over events which occurred in other parts of the 



188 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PKESENT; 

State, and simply mentioning the persuasive of the Gov^ 
ernment to peace, which was ordered to be read in all the 
churches either upon Thanksgiving Day, or at some other 
meeting called for religious worship during the week — a 
part of the " exercises" vv^hich must have produced a sen- 
sation in the audience difficult for us now to conceive, — 
the offer of pardon to all who would take the oath of alle- 
giance before the first of January, 1787, and the threat of 
arrest and imprisonment, without bail or mainprise, be- 
tween January and July, in case of refusal or neglect of 
this mercy, and the regular opening of the war by the in- 
surgents, we wall now confine our attention to the scenes 
which transpired in our own immediate neighborhood. 

A party of the insurgents had assembled at Barrington 
during the autumn of 1786, broken up the court, opened 
the jail, &c., and again, still later, with the intent of op- 
posing the Supreme Court, notwithstanding its session had 
been abandoned on their account ; and finding nothing in 
their ordinary line of business to be done, they searched 
houses, fired upon some of the citizens, pursued such as 
were particularly obnoxious to them, ajid threatened the 
life of Judge Sedgwick of this town. Early in the year 
1787, Eli Parsons had 400 Berkshire men under his 
command ; and after the intelligence of this open violence, 
alarm had spread throughout the community. The papers 
of Judge Sedgwick were deposited for safe keeping in the 
house of Dr. West, and money belonging to President Ed- 
wards, the youngei-, was buried in his garden. Neighbors 
distrusted each other. Property, and even life was felt to. 
be in hourly danger ; and each man, still true to his coun- 
try, was afraid to take the field, lest vengeance should be 
immediately visited upon his family by some insurgent in 
his vicinity. During the winter, eight sleigh loads of 
provisions were intercepted at one time, sent from this 
county to the rebel army. February 15, Parsons put out 
a ciixiular, calling upon his " fellow sufferers to resent un- 
to relentless blood," and to collect in Berkshire for the pur- 
pose " of Burgoyning Lincoln and his army ;" and it had 
been already made manifest to the citizens of Berkshire 
that they had those in their midst who, to the utmost of 
their courage, would stand side by side with such leaders^ 
But there was one mitigation ; they all, to a man, wero 



OR, ERCORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 189 

afraid of being killed, or even wounded. They fonglit for 
gold ; and for that it Avould be useless to part with life. 

During the winter, the disaffected of this vicinity who 
had not joined the main body took up arms at home, and it 
was anticipated that in case the army was defeated in the 
eastern and middle counties, they would, by the aid of the 
home force, take possession of the fastnesses of the Green 
Mountains at the east of us, and spread desolation through 
the county. Under these circumstances, the citizens band- 
ed together for mutual defense, and a company of 500 
men was formed. Stockbridge was chosen as the head- 
quarters, sentinels stood on guard, or patrolled our streets 
at night, demanding the " pass" of every one, and armed 
soldiers, among whom George Kirkland is mentioned as 
conspicuous, attended the religious services of the Sab- 
bath. In Sheffield a company was formed, but so great 
was the danger that they did not venture to come up until 
another company from Barrington went down and joined 
them. Muddy Brook or Barrington Hollow, and similar 
localities, were the hives from which the enemy issued, 
and in which the friends of order were in greatest danger ; 
and the road then took this direction. It was not long be- 
fore a band of rebels had collected at West Stockbridge 
under the command of Hubbard, amounting to between 
150 and 200 men, and the number was continually increas- 
ing. The only way to prevent bloodshed was to disperse 
them as early as possible. The army at Stockbridge was 
duly authorized to act independently, government having 
requested the citizens to defend themselves, as far as it 
could be done, without calling upon the public force. Ac- 
cordingly the whole body was formed into three divisions, 
and while the central took the direct route through Lara- 
waugh, and over the mountain, to the village, a second, un- 
der Capt. Goodrich, took the southern, and the third, under 
Major Rowley of Richmond, took a more northern route. 
As an advance party of the central division, consisting of 
37 infantry, and 7 cavalry, approached the insurgents, they 
were hred upon by the sentries, and the whole rebel force 
was at once formed in order of battle, and commanded to 
Ih-c. But before this little band of their fellow citizens, 
they faltered ; and Judge Sedgwick, taking advantage of 
the favorable moment, rode up in front of the ranks, and 
9* 



190 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ', 

ordered them to lay down their arms. Many obeyed ; oth- 
ers fled ; a scattering fire occupied a few minutes, and two 
insurgents were wounded, but no one was killed. The 
other soldiers from the north and south came in to aid in 
securing the prisoners, 84 in number, including their lead- 
er. These were placed under guard in Stockbridge, and 
the troops meantime traversed the countxy. A second 
offer of pardon to all who would lay down their arms and 
take the oath of allegiance had been made, and the greater 
part of these prisoners soon availed themselves of it, and 
were released. 

Still, the spirit of discontent had not been laid, and quiet 
was not at all restored. A force collected at Adams, and 
on being dispersed by the approach of Gen. Patterson, 
made an attempt to collect at Williamstown. Many had 
assembled at Washington, and Berkshire County was in 
a state of open, bitter, civil war, with no human protection 
in the field or at the fireside, save the cowardice of the foe- 
February 5, Gen. Patterson wrote to Gen. Lincoln at 
Petersham, for aid from the main army. Gen. Lincoln 
returned answer on the 6th, that the defeat of Shays on 
the Sabbath morning previous had left him at liberty to 
remove his army to Berkshire, which he would do Avithout 
delay. "I shall," he writes, "commence my march to- 
morrow morning. No time will be lost in throwing a very 
sufficient force into your county. I shall have the pleas- 
lu'e to come with the troops. Take some strong post, un- 
til I can relieve you." To this he added the direction, in 
case a previous attack was deemed advisable, that the in- 
surgents should be duly warned of their danger as open 
and avowed enemies of the government : a direction which 
there was opportunity to obey. 

Before the army of Lincoln could reach the county, a 
party of insurgents, two hundi-ed and fifty in number, col- 
lected at Lee, with the design of preventing the sitting of 
Courts. A company of three hundred militia marched to 
oppose them ; but having obtained a yarn-beam from the 
loom of Mrs. Perry, the rebels mounted it as a cannon, 
and thus procured more favorable terms, submitting only 
upon condition that the militia would use their influence to 
procure for them a trial within their own county, in case 
they were pursu.ed by government. 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 191 

TMien General Lincoln reached Pittsfield, whicli lie was 
to make his head-quarters, the volunteer army disbanded, 
and returned to their dwellings ; and the service of the 
detached militia closed on the 21st. The new troops en- 
listed did not all come in at once, a band was sent against 
the rebels in Williamstown, who took fourteen prisoners, 
and another against those in Dalton, who took six ; and at 
one time Lincoln numbered, at head-quarters, only about 
thirty men. Providentially the rebels either did not know 
of his situation, or they were not prepared to take advan- 
tage of it. 

But the circular of Eli Parsons, dated February 15, 
1787, to which allusion has been made, was doubtless 
working like leaven in the restless mass, and a body of 
eighty or ninety, imder Captain Perez Hamhn, were in 
the vicinity of New Lebanon, lurking and longing for 
mischief, "determined," as Parsons expressed it, "to carry 
their point, if fire, blood and carnage would effect it." 
Parsons himself was probably with the other division at 
Pownal. On the 26th, Captain Holcomb marched from 
Sheffield to Pittsfield at the head of a company of drafted 
men, with the best arms which could be obtained. This 
left the Southern part of the county more open, while at 
the same time it increased tlie danger of the insurgents at 
Pownal and Lebanon. About eight in the evening, Mon- 
day, 26th, Mrs. Tucker, mother of Mr. Stephen Tucker, 
who lived in the house now owned by Mr. Brinton, step- 
ped out at her door, and heard a horseman who was pass- 
ing say to his fellow traveler, "Now is our time to come 
in." Not suspecting Avho they were, she gave no alarm ; 
but the sequel led her to suppose that they were insur- 
gents. 

The next morning, February 27, 1787, just as the day 
broke, a party of men were seen marching through Lara- 
waugh towards the village. Halting at the public house, 
then kept by Mrs. Bingham, parties were formed for pil- 
lage, and sent in either direction. Esquire Jahleel Wood- 
bridge lived in the house now owned by D. D. Field, Esq. 
" My first recollection," says the Eev. Timothy Wood- 
bridge, D. D., " is a belligerent one. The first thing I 
remember, is waking in the night, and seeing a number of 
brutal soldiers, with their green boughs," (the insignia of 



192 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESEPIT ; 

rebellion,) " waving over the bed "where my father and I 
lay. The dreadful gleam of their arms was reflected by 
the burning lights in the room. They demanded the sur- 
render of my father, and I shrieked in an agony of terror ; 
and my father passed me between the guns to the arms of 
my sister. This is the first memory this poor world has 
left engraven upon my heart." They plundered the house 
" most unsparingly." 

When this party reached the house of Deacon Inger- 
soll, which was probably on their return from jilundering 
the dwellings in the east part of the village, the good man 
was engaged in family devotion ; the terror and confusion 
having di'iven him into, and not, as is too often the case, 
out of the Ark of safety. They entered the porch tumul- 
tuously, and were on the threshold, when Mrs. Ingersoll, 
bethinking herself of a very vulnerable point, handed to 
them a bottle of brandy ; and they immediately, like 
lucky chickens in the farm-yard, ran off with their 
precious booty. 

The party sent down South street, passed some of the 
houses, seemingly, in their eagerness to secure Mr. Ira 
Seymour, who resided in the building occupied by Mr. H. 
Goodrich. Mr. Seymour, however, escaped, but without 
a shoe to protect his feet from the snow. 

Another party took the road over the Hill. The first 
house which they entered was that of Capt. Jones. They 
entered the sleeping apartment of all, asking of males and 
females if they had " any arms ? " Two stopped for a few 
minutes to chat with the hired woman, and the first object 
which met the sight of the youngest daughter, who slept 
with her, was their '• green boughs and gleaming arms." 

From the list made out by Capt. Jones, of " military 
stores " taken away, they would seem to have been paid 
for their trouble ; but the greatest treasure stolen was the 
belt of wampum given him by the Indians as a token of 
friendship, and which he could never recover. The pris- 
oners taken were Capt. Jones, his two sons, (Josiah and 
William), an old negro who was laboring by the day, and 
a young man who had long desired to exchange his voca- 
tion as hired servant for that of a free ranger in Shays' 
army. He assured the men that he was of their own 
creed, and was happy to unite with them. He wore no 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 193 

white paper in his hat, and only coveted the green bough. 
But his enlistment came too late ; he was not believed, and 
was driven off with the others. At the corner, Josiah 
procured the release of old Backus, on account of his 
lameness, Avhich would render him a burden, and when 
they had reached the village, he plead oiF his brother 
because of his youth. 

The next house visited was that of Dr. Sergeant. There 
they broke into the chamber of Miss Mercy Scott, a noted 
seamstress, at the time m the family, and stole her silver 
shoe-buckles. As prisoners, they took Dr. Sergeant, Dr. 
Partridge, Hopkins and Catlin, (two medical students,) 
and Moses Lpich, (lately deceased,) and another hired 
man. Lynch was sent to Dr. "West's to borrow a loaf of 
bread, for the enemy had no provisions for their captives, 
and as he took down his hat, one of the insurgents asked 
Avhy he wore " that white paper ? " " Why do you wear 
that green bough ? " asked Mr. Lynch. With an oath, the 
enraged soldier thi'ust his bayonet at him ; but, perhaps 
intentionally, it struck the wall by his side. 

From Dr. Sergeant's, they went on to Gen. Ashley's, a 
guard being probably left with each company of prisoners. 
Gen. Ashley was taken ; but Dr. West was unmolested. 
Some think they did not venture to intrude there ; but 
they had not time to show their daring, being recalled to 
prepare for the march south. 

When the party came to the little stream at the foot of 
the hill, the young Shayite, feeling delighted at finding 
himself in the army of " the people," or proud and happy 
to be " on the side of the hangman," while those who had 
restrained him were in captivity, commenced dancing and 
singing in merriest style. But his captors were still faith- 
less, and they asked no songs of their victims. A thrust 
at his breast with the breech of a gun, silenced his mirth, 
and nearly drove the breath from his body. Nothing more 
was heard from him of the people's rights. 

One band entered the stoi'e of Esquire Edwards, not for 
arms, but for spiritous liquors ; and from the office of 
Judge Sedgwick they took Epln-aim Williams, Esq., and 
Henry Hopkins prisoners, besides a quantity of linen from 
the drawers. But at the house of Judge Sedgwick, the 
one now occupied by Mr. Carter, they found one who was 



194 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

prepared for them, — Elizabeth Freeman, — generally 
known as " Mum Bett." She allowed them to search the 
drawers, knowing that the valuable papers were on the 
hill, and the silver all in her own chest, and to run their 
bayonets under the beds and into the dark corners to find 
Judge Sedgwick, for he, too, was absent. But she for- 
bade all wanton destruction of property ; and arming 
herself with the kitchen shovel, no light weapon in those 
days, she escorted them to the cellar, jeering them at her 
pleasure, and assuring them that they dared not strike a 
woman. When one of them, wishing for a share of the 
" gentleman's " cheer, broke off the neck of a demijohn, 
she offered to serve them like gentlemen, but declared that 
the next one who uselessly destroyed a vessel, should be 
instantly leveled by her shovel. They affected to scorn 
the bitter liquor, and left the remainder for " gentlemen 
who drank such stuff." 

On searching the chambers, and entering Betty's, one 
pointed to her chest, and asked what that was. " Oh, you 
had better search that," she replied, " an old nigger's chest ! 
you are such gentlemen ; you had better search that, — the 
old nigger's, as you call me ; " and thus she shamed them 
quite out of it, and saved the silver. 

Judge Sedgwick had a fine gray horse which Betty was 
fond of riding. This the insurgents led out, and one of 
them mounted it, and attempted to ride. But the horse 
did not fancy its rider's manners, and as he was passing 
the well, threw him off. It was probably at this juncture 
that Betty seized the halter, and leading the horse to the 
gate, gave a blow which she thought would drive her 
favorite beyond the reach of its pursuers. Thus far, says 
one of the family. Mum Bett was very fond of telling the 
story ; but the sequel she was not so ready to relate. The 
horse was recajitured, and never returned. After they 
had left the house one insurgent was obliged to return for 
a pair of boots, needed by one of the prisoners ; and with 
the boots he took one more of Betty's jeers. " Who is 
it ? " asked Mrs. Sedgwick ; " who are these people, Betty ? 

you seem to know them." " Why, it's nobody but Jim , 

from ," (naming a degraded region,) " the fellow that 

came along peddling brooms, — miserable things, — they 
are all m the cellar now ; I never could use one of them." 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 195 

At the house of Asa Bement, Jr., they were very vio- 
lent ; and seeing a lad who lived in the family, on horse- 
back, with a white paper in his hat, they started in pursuit, 
and fired upon him. The boy left the horse and fled to 
the house of the elder Mi\ Bement, a few rods distant. 
The insurgents were recalled for their march just before 
they reached that dwelling. 

When the prisoners had been generally brought in, we 
learn from Mr. Tucker, an eye-witness, that they were 
paraded in front of what is now the new grave-yard. 
While there, Nathaniel Lynch, Asa Bement, Jr., George 
Kirkland, and Ned Monday, a colored man, came up. 
Lynch threatened to fire, and put his threat in execution, 
— but with regard to the exact circumstance there is a dis- 
agreement. Immediately they were pursued. Kirkland 
leaped the fence, and crossed the grave-yard to Mr. Tuek- 
ei"'s. One of the daughters stepped to the door and 
warned him that there was a " Shays man " within. 
" Here," said " Little Pete," on overhearing the remark, 
uttering at the same time an imprecation, " I'll take care 
of him ; " and rushing out, he seized the bridle of George's 
horse, and with a pistol pointed at his breast, ordered him 
to surrender. There was no resisting, and George was 
led back to the line. But " Pete S.," Avho was a German 
soldier, lately settled in West Stockbridge, mounted the 
beautiful steed, and started for Vermont or Canada. He 
was not seen here again for twenty years. Asa Bement 
and Lynch were pursued to the swamp near the residence 
of the former, and as might be expected, fired upon. But 
they were not seriously injured, and, it is believed, not 
wounded at all. 

All being ready, the prisoners were marched to Bar- 
rington ; but several of Shays' party were left behind, too 
drunk to walk ; and such had been the haste and confusion, 
that Mrs. Bingham had safely secreted Capt. Jones in a 
trap-door closet, behind the large, old fashioned chimney, 
without his l^eing missed. It is believed, also, that Gen. 
Asliley had been sent home by Hamlin, who expressed 
regret at seeing a fellow officer of the Revolution in his 
liands as a prisoner. 

The house of Mr. Benjamin Willard, in Goodrich street, 
had not been molested, and as the army came in sight, 



196 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Elias, his son, started with a neighbor, Mr. Waldo, to give 
the alarm in Barrmgton. Richard Edwards also left for 
Pittsiield, to notify Gen. Lincoln of the state of atfairs. 
But, of course, no concerted plan of action could be 
entered into at once ; and there seems no question that 
several voluntary expresses hastened to put the southern 
towns of the county upon their guard. A Mr Ruey who 
lived as neighbor to Mr. I. Seymour, and had been of the 
rebel party, but had been lately brought over to the side 
of order, harnessed his horses and started in their rear. 
Supposing him to be a true friend, they suifered him to 
pass. It is claimed for him, though not at all to his credit, 
that standing erect in his sleigh, he first wore up his whip, 
and then drew his i-amrod, and used that instead. The 
same circumstance is related of two others ; but is not 
allowed by their descendants ; and though there is much 
reason to fear that those were gloomy days for beast as 
well as man, it was evidently an unusual act, and com- 
mitted only once ; and we are happy to say that no one 
now owns it as the act of his father. It shows the reck- 
lessness of cruelty which those scenes of civil strife had 
engendered. When a man of previous good standing in 
society, could rise up in a meeting of his fellow townsmen 
and declare — " I am ready to-day to fight my neighbor " — 
a home fact for us, and not a fancy, — the heart must have 
been steeled agamst kindness, and mercy, and even the 
barest humanity. And these facts must be taken into con- 
sideration before we can justly appreciate the horrors of 
that morning. Such was the known coAvardice of the reb- 
els that there was little danger to an army who should 
meet them in the open field. Some fcAV in the front rank 
might fall ; yet those behind were sure of a surrender or 
flight before it came their turn. But here was a band of 
defenceless men, in the hands of well armed and brutal 
soldiers who thirsted for their blood. Some families had 
parted with every adult male, and others had seen hus- 
bands, fathers, brothers, and sons driven off, pei'haps 
to early and cruel slaughter ; and those who were thus 
torn from their homes, knew not what other ruthless 
band, might, before evening, lay their dwellings in ashes, 
and subject their unprotected inmates to all that revenge 
could wish to perpetrate. " Fire, blood, and carnage," 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 197 

had been given out as the order of the day, until the end 
was gained ; and we withhold just sympathy from our sires 
when we judge of the whole of February 27, 1787, by the 
hilarity of its close. 

Other parties were soon fitted out to follow the captors. 
Mr. Abel Curtis had been of the malcontent opinion ; but 
having turned his coat to its better side, with characteris- 
tic boldness and frankness, he had risen in church the Sab- 
bath previous, and made an open recantation. This was 
unknown to his former friends, not distinguished for church 
going habits, and he, too, was permitted to pass the army 
without opposition. Mr. Whittlesey, also, and Major 
Elnathan Curtis, are mentioned as driving down at the 
utmost speed, in company with Lynch, and others ; but at 
a later hour, and possibly as a portion of the regular mil- 
itia. Stephen Tucker gave notice at Mr. Kirkland's of 
of the fxte of George, and John, his twin brother, after- 
wards President of Harvard, answered that if they had 
his brother, they should have him ; and he joined the mil- 
itia in the pursuit. 

Captaiu Stoddard had started for the village with his 
two horses, and was passing the house of Dr. West, when 
the Dr. hailed him, and informed him that "the plain was 
full of Shayites." Captain Stoddard instantly turned his 
horses, and giving the alarm at every house as he passed, 
he rallied his militia band, and followed with all possible 
haste. 

On reaching Barrington, the belligerents halted at the 
public house, then kept by Mr. Bement, brother of Asa 
Bement sen., of Stockbridge, and called first, of course, 
for spiritous liquors. Next, they wished to examine the 
jail, which was attached to the house, to see if the cells 
were of sufficient strength to hold their prisoners when 
they should be ready to store them there. All debtors in 
the cells also were set at libei'ty. As Mrs. Bement went 
with the officers and opened one cell after another, she 
sung, with deep feeling, but with ajiparent unconcern, the 
hymn containing these Imes — 

" Ye living men. come view the ground 
Where you must shortly lie.'' 

The people of Barrington, having taken the alarm, lit- 
tle could be done in the way of plunder thex-e ; and the 



198 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

information had been carried to Sheffield, so that it would 
be unsafe marching thither. The government friends in 
that place met at the center; and "being joined by Cap- 
tains Dwight and Ingersoll, and a small company from 
Barrington who had fled before the insurgents," they 
were ready, about 1 o'clock P. M., to march North against 
the foe, then reported to be coming down with their pris- 
oners. But as it was soon believed that they were turn- 
ing West, and endeavoring to escape from the county 
through Egremont, Colonel Ashley turned to the left, and 
taking a "back road," drove rapidly toward the residence 
of Francis Hare in that town. Scarcely had his company 
passed the brook North of the quarry, when it was found 
that the insurgents had also taken the back road, and hear- 
ing of the government forces, had, with unusual daring, 
turned, like them, at Archer vSaxton's, and were now in the 
rear in pursuit of them. A halt was at once made, the 
sleighs were thrown out of the way, and an effort made to 
form. After some confusion, Captain Goodi'ich led the 
Sheffield company rapidly through a lot of girdled trees 
on the West side of the road, and Captain Ingersoll advan- 
ced with the Barrington company, through a wood on the 
East, some fifty or sixty rods, engaging in a scattering fire 
during the course. By this time they had come up with a 
considerable body of the enemy, and a well directed fire 
fi'om eight or ten who were foremost, immediately put them 
to flight. The whole party fled in every direction. Other 
parties of government men soon came in, and among them 
one from Lenox under Captain William Walker, and pris- 
oners were taken to the number of between fifty and sixty. 
More than thirty were Avounded, one of whom was Ham- 
lin, the Captain, and two were killed. A third, named 
Kathbun, died sometime afterward from his wounds. 

In marching, the prisoners were of course placed in the 
center of the army. The meeting was sudden ; the reb- 
els were in the road, and the government party in the 
woods on each side. The firing was therefore not exactly 
in front, and was over before there was much opportunity 
to attack the insurgents in flank. There could have been 
little or no opportunity to form, and place the prisoners 
between the two armies, as has generally been represent- 
ed. The fact, in the opinion of Mr. Jones, was simply 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 199 

tliis : that being startled by the attack, the insurgents, in 
their terror, slunk behind the prisoners to load, and ran 
too soon to resume a front position. 

Mr. Jones was placed, in the line, beside the grandson 
of the 2d Mrs. Josiah Jones, (immigrant,) named Solomon 
Gleazen, at the time village school-master. Seeing their 
position, Mr. Gleazen said to IVIr. Jones — " Let's run." 
They instantly started, but as they leaped the fence, Mr. 
Gleazen received a ball in his chin, which passing into the 
throat, produced a death wound. He fell into the brush, 
and Mr. Jones, dropping beside him, took his head upon 
his knee, and supported it until life was extinct. 

One other individual of the government party was kill- 
ed, a Mr. Porter of Barrington, who was taken, a corpse, 
to his home before his wife had received any intimation of 
his fall. Dr. Burghardt of Richmond, who was in the 
company of Captain Walker, was wounded by a shot from 
a small party whom they encountered before they reached 
the field of action. These made up tlie amount of "killed 
and wounded :" and yet this was the most serious, the 
most decisive, and the concluding action of the "Shays 
War," One raikoad accident would have been more 
fatal ; and it is not strange that in general history it is so 
slightly passed over. Yet to Berkshire county, and par- 
ticularly to Stockbridge, it was not exceeded, probably, by 
the Revolution itself, in the distress and guilt which it 
occasioned. The seaports may di'ead most a foreign in- 
vasion ; but our villages, and our homes, have most to 
deprecate internal strife. 

As soon as the prisoners were secured, those captives 
who belonged to the Stockbridge militia were ordered into 
the ranks, and placed, with their comrades, under an infe- 
rior officer, while the leaders retired, probably into the 
house of Mr. Hare, to hold a council of war. One of 
these militia was Moses Lynch, who speaks of engaging 
some one to hold his gun in due order, while he ran to see 
Gleazen. After the council, the whole company were 
marched from the field. The prisoners were taken first to 
Barrington ; and the jail being filled, the surplus were 
carried, or marched, to Lenox. The Stockbridge prison- 
ers, as they halted at the tavern, hurried home and collect- 
ed such cast-off accoutrements as the insurgents had left, 



200 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

and, with mock pomp, joined the escort. The line of 
sleighs was a mile in length, the rear not having 
turned the corner at Mr. Tucker's when the front was 
passing the then new church. It is said that they did not 
ascend the hill until they turned up the road entering 
above Mr. Hull's. 

As the leaders must have expected to be put to death in 
case they were taken, efforts were made to raise a new 
army, but without success. The governors of the neigh- 
boring States consented to expose those who took shelter 
under their administration, and the Governor of New 
York accompanied an officer in his search for such as 
might be concealed about Lebanon, and by September 
quiet was so far restored that it was deemed safe to dis- 
band the army. Pardon was granted by General Lincoln 
and his two associates to two hundred and seventy per- 
sons ; but with some, it was thought necessary to take a 
more stringent course. Fourteen were accordingly sen- 
tenced to death as guilty of treason, six of them being cit- 
izens of Berksliire, but none of Stockbridge. But out of 
these, eight were pardoned on the thirtieth of April, four 
being Berkshire men. The punishment of the others was 
twice postponed, and finally, those who had not escaped 
from prison, were pardoned, one excepted in the county, 
whose punishment was commuted to hard labor for seven 
years. A member of the Legislature who had been con- 
victed of seditious words, was condemned to sit on the 
gallows with a rope about his neck, to pay a fine of £50, 
and to give bonds for good behavior and keeping the peace 
for five years. 

But at first, the rebels were not to enjoy the elective 
franchise until the expiration of a specified time. This 
however, was found to work unfavorably. It was a morti- 
fication which soured the feelings; and besides this, in 
some towns there were not found a sufficient number of 
loyal citizens to transact civil business as it should be 
done. They were therefore allowed to be received at an 
earlier period, upon promise of good behavior. The Gov- 
ernor, Bowdoin, who had given displeasure by insisting 
upon a fixed salary as the only safe course, showed that he 
had not acted from a regard to his own interests, by retir- 
ing from office ; and Hancock was chosen in his stead. A 



ok, RECORDS OP AN old' MISSION STATION. 201 

committee was appointed to examine the legislative de- 
partment for the purpose of detecting any still existing 
errors. Bly and Rose were executed at Lenox for burg- 
lary, December 6, 1787 ; and so far as human means could 
effect it, peace was restored to the community. But God 
alone could give that internal peace which had been so 
cruelly expelled from churches, neighborhoods and fami- 
lies, and in some cases His unseen power was till death 
persistently despised. 

Reports have been circulated which place the character 
of Gleazen in an unfavorable light, yet without as much 
foundation as such reports should be able to show. A 
short time previous to the battle, Gleazen and Philo, the 
latter supposed to be a Jew, but who had lately come into 
the' town, were examining fire-arms in the street, when 
Gleazen pointed a pistol at Philo, asking, "Will you dare 
me ?" There was no evidence that he supposed the pistol 
to be loaded ; but so it proved, and the ball entered the 
chin of Philo, and passed into his neck, killing him in- 
stantly. Gleazen was not popular either in his school, or 
among the people at lai'ge, and when, a few days after- 
ward, he was himself killed by a precisely similar wound, 
many looked upon it as an evidence that the former shot 
had been premeditated. 

He was brought to Stockbridge for interment, and the 
lady to whom he was soon to have been united in mar- 
riage, erected over his grave a monumental slab with the 
inscription, "Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness, &c." 

— # — 
SECTION XXXIV. 



COLONIES FROM STOCKRRIDGE. 

West Stockbridge Village was commenced in 17 6G, by 
Colonel Elijah Williams of this toAvn, who built the iron 
works Avhich for a time gave their name to the place. The 
other parts of the town were settled by persons from vari- 
ous places, a Mr. Joseph Bryant from Canaan, Ct., having 
settled near the Northwest corner, a few months earlier in 



202 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

the year than the removal of Colonel Williams thither. 
Until its incorporation, in 1774, the township was called 
Queensborough, 

About three years previous to the settlement of this 
Western part of our own township, viz: in 1763, prepa- 
rations were commenced for the founding of new colonies 
in the uncultivated wilderness to the North, owned by the 
Indians. The land now comprising the townships of 
Richmond and Lenox, was purchased of Chiefs Eplu-aim 
and Yokun, Stockbridge Indians, under the agency of 
Samuel Brown Jr., Esq. The price was £1700. A grant 
was obtained, such as was needed for the prosperity of the 
settlements, January, 1784, and April 17th they held a 
meeting at the house of John Chamberlain, in Richmond, 
for the transaction of business. Timothy Woodbridge of 
Stockbridge was chosen Moderator, and Samuel Brown 
Jr., Clerk. Esquire Brown was also on the committee to 
lay out and repair high-ways, and Colonel Elijah Wil- 
liams was Treasurer. (This was two years previous to 
the erection of his iron works.) Money was voted, and a 
committee appointed to hire a preacher. May 2oth, it 
was voted to build, by taxation, one church in Richmond, 
then called Mount Ephraim, and another in Lenox, or 
Yokuntown. On the building committee for Richmond, 
were Elijah Brown and John Chamberlain from Stock- 
bridge, and on that of Lenox, Stephen Nash of this town, 
and Solomon Gleazen, whose wife, if not himself, removed 
to that town from Stockbridge. June 20th, the whole was 
incorporated, and named in honor of the Duke of Rich- 
mond, and, February 2G, 17G7, the Eastern part was set 
off under the name of Lenox, that being the family name 
of the Duke. 

In Richmond, the names of Elijah and Isaac Brown, 
John Chamberlain and David Pixley, all from Stock- 
bridge, are among the first settlers. David Pixley after- 
tei'wards returned to Stockbridge. His wife was Miss 
Patterson of Richmond. Elijah Brown also returned to 
Stockbridge after the birth of his youngest child. 

The first inhabitants of Lenox were Mr. Jonathan Hins- 
dale from Hartford, and his wife. Miss Barnard of Stock- 
bridge, daughter of Mrs. Joseph Woodbridge. He built 
on the east side of the road, about filty rods south of 



OK, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 203 

Court House Hill, in 1750. Lydia, their daughter, who 
afterwards mai-ried Elihu Parsons of Stockbridge, was the 
first white child born in the town. A few months after the 
settlement of Mr. Hinsdale, Mr. Jacob Cooper of Stock- 
bridge, who had married Jemima Woodbridge, half sister 
to Mrs. H., settled on the east street, north of the Lenox 
line. Previous to the alarm in 1755, a few other families 
had located themselves within the bounds of the town. 
During the flight, one man was killed, but Mi*. Hinsdale 
succeeded in rescuing the woman who rode behind on a 
pillion. The church was organized in 1769, and Mr. 
Hinsdale was one of its nine male members. Probably 
other families removed from this place to Lenox and Rich- 
mond dui'ing the early periods of their history, who, act- 
ing no prominent part, have not left their names upon the 
records of those towns. 

The Chenango Purchase was made about the close of 
the Revolutionary War, and many Stockbridge people 
engaged in the enterprise. Among the first were the five 
sons of Abraham Brown, and Elisha, Peter, Mary, Phcebe, 
and Mehitable Wilson, who, with their mothers, settled 
Newark ; and they were followed by the Balls, AVilliamses, 
Slossons, Asa Bement, Hosford, the Carpenters, John 
Ruey, &c., &c., until Dr. West declared that if many 
more went, he would go too. The Purchase consisted of 
ten townships, and our citizens seem to have been very 
generally disti-ibuted among them. 

About 1790, Eli and Joel Bristol, Solomon and Josiah 
Jones, and Stephen Willard, emigrated to the vicinity of 
Clinton, Mr. Willard and Mr. J. Jones as merchants, and 
the others as farmers. The merchants returned, Solomon 
Jones removed to Owego, but the Bristols remained with 
their families. They were joined by Dr. Sewall Hopkins, 
who returned, to marry, in January, 1797. When the 
college was founded Joel Bristol was chosen one of its 
trustees, and continued so until his death, and his eldest 
son was one of the first four graduates. Dr. Robinson 
was another, and married for his first wife another of the 
early immigrants from Stockbridge, the daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Kirkland. 

Afterwards, Solomon Jones having removed to Owego, 
he was joined by his brothers, Stephen and William, and 



204 STOCIiBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

by David Pixley 2d, and his son David. For a long timo 
they had no pastor, and Mr. Jones and his wife — a Bristol 
— and Mrs. Pixley, stood almost alone in religious mat- 
ters. Mr. Jones conducted Avorship upon the Sabbath for 
years. Mrs. J. Bristol, and the Joneses were all children of 
Capt. Josiah Jones ; Mrs. Asa Bement, and the mother of 
the Williamses were Browns ; and Dr. Hopkins Avas 
grandson to Mr. Sergeant the missionary, enough from 
the old hive to constitute this a bona fide Stockbridge emi- 
gration. 

Again, when the Genesee Speculation commenced, the 
people of Stockbridge engaged in it, and in many cases 
with an unwise zeal. Among these, were the Boughtons, 
Enos, Jared and Hezekiah, who were the first settlers of 
Bloomfield, now Victor, 1791. They were followed by 
families named Brace, Hart and Smith. Ira Seymour 
went later. There was never another time when such for- 
tunes were made by our citizens, and again lost in a few 
years, or even months. One man from this town, who felt 
that he could never spend the interest of his property, was 
in a short time destitute, and went with his brothers to 
Dismal Swamp, to raise, by the manufacture of shingles, 
the means of retrieving his error, and re-purchasing his 
farm. Not only those who removed to Genesee, but many 
who remained in the civilized world, lost their all ; and 
Stockbridge, perhaps, bore its full share in the energy and 
gain, and in the folly and loss, which marked the enter- 
prise. 

The next emigration of Stockbridge people in any con- 
siderable number took place in 1819. Col. Henry Brown, 
son of Samuel Brown, Esq., having purchased a township 
on the southern shore of Lake Erie, many families from 
this place removed thither with him. The town is called 
Brownhelm, after Colonel, afterwards Judge, Brown, its 
founder. Nineteen took a dismission from this church, 
and were formed into a new church in the wilderness, 
among whom were Mrs. Brown, and Deacon Stephen 
James. Other names of settlers, cither at that time or 
soon after, were Pease, Barnum, Patten, Alverson, Fair- 
child, Curtis, Sage, Whittlesey, Shepherd, Peck, Baldwin, 
Cooley, &c. 

In 1836, several heads of families became interested in 



on, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 205 

the settlement of Mercer Co., Illinois. Major Edward 
Burrall, Dr. Alfred Perry, and Mr. Loring Barnum went 
with their sous to Illinois. Dr. Periy left in 1837, 
returned in 1838, and during the summer of that year 
removed his family to what has since been called Perry, 
in honor of him. His death, a short time after, occasioned 
the return of his wife and younger children. Major Bur- 
I'all left a son, but has never removed his family ; and Mr. 
Barnum and one son were cut down just as the family at 
home were preparing to join them, and another son 
returned ; so that, though the prospect was at one time 
fair of establishing a little community of Stockbridgeans 
in Illinois, with unusual advantages for a new settlement, 
the whole State contains now scarcely a representation of 
our citizens. 

Since the golden mania has turned the faces of the whole 
world, civilized and savage, to California, a few have gone from 
Stockbi'idge, and succeeded well. Two have died. But 
the disease never fully took hold upon the people until the 
autumn of 1851. Yet early in January, 1852, nearly a 
score were ready to leave. Could we but fit out as many 
foreign missionaries, Stockbridge would indeed be rich. 
But " the children of this world are in their generation 
wiser than the children of light." Thanks be to God that 
a wiser day is dawning upon his kingdom below. 

SECTION XXXV. 



WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 

Passing over the question of right or wrong in the 
matter, we will come at once to the fact, that between June 
4th and June 18th, 1812, the President and Congress of 
the United States had gone through with the prescribed 
forms of national law, and declared this country to be in a 
state of war with Great Britain, her Colonies and depen- 
dencies. The Western States and Territories, the sailors 
upon the Lakes, and many large towns, received the news 
with joy ; and New York, Baltimore, and the City of 
10 



206 STOCKBEIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Brotherly Love illuminated as a public expression of ap- 
probation, while Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jer- 
sey legislatively dissented, and the people of New England 
were divided upon a question of life and death. Not only 
States and Towns, but neighborhoods, churches and families 
admitted the separating wall. It was not as in the days of 
the rebellion, when every man's hand was against his fel- 
low ; but, by those who were for peace, the warriors Avere 
looked upon as ready for revenge, to bring upon us a for- 
eign foe who might have been propitiated, while, on the 
other hand, the Democratic party were impatient of the 
tameness with which the federalists could see the rights 
and safety of the country trampled in the dust. Thus, 
both were prepared to lay the cause of every suffering at 
the door of the opposite party ; and those sufferings were 
by no means light. The price of goods was at once rais- 
ed, and in Stockbridge S15 for a barrel of flour, SI for the 
coarsest tea, and SI 8 per pound for the best, was but in 
proportion to the prices of other articles. And this was 
but the smallest evil. To the minds of children, those of 
the opposite party were often monsters in human form. — 
This, we can well remember, was the feeling of the chil- 
dren of federalist parents in Stockbridge. Among the 
girls of the village school, that party predominated ; and 
as we marched and counter-marched during intermissions, 
singing our puerile defiance to the " Demo. Band," the sub- 
dued countenances of the two or three who could not join 
the sport, were enough to move the pity of a soldier's heart, 
and are always set down as among the moral evils of the 
war. We did not hate them ; we commiserated the mis- 
fortune of their birth ; but we felt it a duty to shake off 
the dust of our feet against all that abetted the unholy 
butchery of war ; and in our brave crusade, their children 
must not expect to escape. 

During the autumn of 1814, however, an event occurred 
which shows that the village school was not an index for 
the town. The Association had appointed a day of fasting 
and prayer, to be observed in view of the distracted state 
of the country, and some ultra democrats, choosing to have 
all in their own way, opposed the submitting of the ques- 
tion to the council of Heaven. They seem not to have 
believed in the right of that foreign power to intervene. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 207 

and therefore they threatened violence to those who should 
call in such an arbiter. In some towns the appointment 
was read on the Sabbath, and the day was publicly observ- 
ed. But in Stockbridge this was not deemed prudent, and 
those who felt disposed to observe it, gathered their fami- 
lies in some retired room of their own dwellings, and there 
poured out their fears and confidence into the ear of Him 
who saith, that those who trust in His mercy, shall be hid 
" in the secret of His pavilion." The memory of no 
early day is more deeply impressed than this. The re- 
tirement, the solemn charge of secrecy, and the intense 
excitement and fear produced, are among the pictures of 
childhood which can never be eifaced. 

Feb. 22, 1813, the birth of Washington was celebrated 
with unusual display in Stockbridge. The exercises were 
performed in the church, and the procession marched up 
from the village, the young men wearing the portrait of 
the patriot set in blue satin, as a badge. It was a gala 
day for little Stockbridge. But before the Sabbath, we 
had another procession somewhat unlike that of the Wash- 
ingtonians. Twelve sleigh loads of sailors arrived from 
Boston, destined for the Lakes, which had then but a small 
fleet for their defense, and several of them were taken 
sick here, so that they were unable to leave until Tuesday. 
Generally, however, we saw little of the soldiers ; but 
heavy teams were very often passing with stores for the 
army, and on the Sabbath were a great annoyance. 

In the summer of 1814, the British made an attempt to 
cut oiF the New England States, by taking the northern 
posts and coming down the Hudson, while, at the same 
time, they were to attack New York, and hold the whole 
coast in a state of blockade. Thus, they hoped to bring 
this part of the country to sue for peace, and relieve them- 
selves of all Yankee enemies. That was a gloomy year ; 
for though the design was frustrated, Plattsburgh was tak- 
en and held for a short time, the coast was invaded, and 
many towns were subdued. We believed ourselves be- 
tween two millstones ; the sound of martial music, partic- 
ularly at evening, was startling, and to childhood, (if their 
sufferings may be made matters of political history,) it was 
terrifying. Day after day might be seen groups of tiny 
politicians discussing the news of the day, and confiding to 



208 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

each other their settled plans of action whenever the bayo- 
net should be presented to theii* breasts. 

On returning from school September 10, we had all sad 
news to hear, and to some it was heart-rending. The 
Militia had been called to march, the following day, for the 
defense of Boston, and from some families this would take 
two, and from others three, of their number. It was a 
dreadful night, and particularly so to those who were op- 
posed to war. The conscription would not have been more 
odious. On the morning of the 11th, the Company col- 
lected on the village green for prayer, in which they were 
led by Rev. E. G. Swift, the colleague of Dr. West, and 
then marched off to meet their fate. We were, of course, 
expecting, each for his own, that that fate would be death. 
But we were graciously disappointed ; for after six weeks 
of leisure, they returned safe, and it is needless to say, 
happy. The following names of persons belonging to this 
company have been obtained : 

John Hunt, Captain ; Erastus Williams, Lieutenant ; 
George Bacon, Ensign ; William Williams, Orderly Ser- 
geant; Benjamin Bacon, Philo Griswold and Leonard 
Olmstead, Sergeants ; David B. Ingersoll, Heman Whit- 
tlesey, Daniel Barnes and Otis Dresser, Corporals ; Hor- 
ace Williams, Drummer ; and Samuel Clarke, Fifer. 

Privates, — George Warner, George James, Daniel 
Phelps, Samuel Bacon, Jay Curtis, Barney Curtis, Chas. 
Carter, Sands Niles, George Hill, Miles Carter, Uri Piatt, 
Ezra Perry, Horace Abbey, Phelps, Samuel Rath- 
bun, Nathaniel Rathbun, Seymour Churchill, Charles 
Whittlesey, Solomon Whittlesey, Francis Olmstead, John 
Manley, Luman Andrews, John Skinkle, Luther Hamilton, 
Patrick Hamilton, Timothy Tolman, Silas Tohnan, Phin- 
eas Pixley, Levi Belden, William Wilcox, Luther Landon, 
Isaiah Brown, Luman Wilcox, Lyman Wilcox, Simeon 
Bliss, Jonathan Howard, William Green, Isaac Williams, 
Henry J. Ostrom and Ebenezer Simonds. Stephen Car- 
penter bemg absent, escaped.. Henry W. Dwight was 
aid to Major General Joseph Whiton. 

The Treaty of Peace was signed at Ghent, Dec. 24th, 
of the same year ; a happy prelude to the services of the 
25th, in welcome and obedience to the Prince of Peace. 
On the 28th it was ratified by the Prince Regent. Feb. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 209 

11th the news reached New York, and on the 17th it was 
accepted by the President. Great joy was manifested 
upon the occasion. Stockbridge was beautifully illuminat- 
ed, and among the sounds of merriment and melody, the 
old Indian Conch bore a ready part, winded from the heart 
by him who held it. 

A number of the British prisoners had resided here for 
several months ; but upon the return of Peace they were 
set at liberty, and we again sat under our own vines and 
fruit trees, " with none to molest us, or make us afraid." 

And this was the last war in which Stockbridge people 
were ever personally engaged. May God grant that this 
assertion shall never need reversion, unless He, himself, 
call us to fight under his own banner of Truth and Uni- 
versal Righteousness, the last great conflect with Error, 
Kapine and Death ! 



SECTION XXXVI, 



DIVISIONS OF THE PARISH J PASTORS, EDIFICES, &C. 

In 1810, the infirmities of Dr, West induced him to ask 
for a colleague, and the Rev. Ephraim G. Swift was called 
to the office, and ordained Sept. 26. Dr. West preached 
the Ordination Sermon. 

Mr. Swift was born in Williamstown, August 14, 1782, 
and graduated at that College in September, 1804. He 
studied Divinity with Dr. West. He was the son of Rev. 
Seth Swift of Williamstown, and nephew of Rev. Job 
Swift, " the Vermont Apostle." His mother was the 
gi-and-daughter of Rev. Jared Eliot, D. D., M. D. and F. 
R. S., of Killingworth, great-grand-daughter of the emi- 
nent minister, Joseph Eliot, and great-great-grand-daugh- 
ter of John Eliot, the Apostle. She was also niece to 
Governor Griswold. The Swift family removed from 
Sandwich to Kent, but were, very probably, descended 
from Thomas Swift, of Dorchester, 1630. 

Mr. Swift was dismissed, by his request, at the same time 
with Dr. West, August 27, 1818. Since that time he has 
labored at Humplireysville and Bethany eleven years, and 



210 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

was settled at Killingworth December 11, 1832. In the 
Autumn of 1850, he retired on account of his health, and 
has not since ministered statedly to any charge. His wife 
was Miss Sarah K. Beach, of New York. While in 
Stockbridge he was unmarried. As we have come down 
now to the present generation, characters must be omitted 
in future. 

During the Winter following the dismission of Dr. 
West and Mr. Swift, Mr. Hutchins Taylor and Mr. Wil- 
liam Boardman were employed ; but no call was given un- 
til the Summer of 1819, when Rev. David D. Field, from 
Haddam, Ct., but free from engagements, was called, and 
accepted the invitation. He was installed August 25, and 
remained until February, 1837, when he returned to Had- 
dam. 

Mr. Field, now Dr. Field, is a descendant of the Con- 
necticut branch of the old Dudley family, and also of the 
early Fields of Hartford and Hadley, Zachariah Field being 
one of the first settlers of Hartford, and the founder of the 
family. Dr. Field was bom in East Guilford, Ct., now 
Madison, May 20, 1781, graduated at Yale College in 1802, 
settled at Haddam April 11, 1814, was dismissed April 11, 
1818, went on a mission to the southern shore of Lake 
Ontario in June of the same year, settled in Stockbridge 
August 25, 1819, dismissed reluctantly by his people, Feb- 
ruary 12th, 1837, settled again in Haddam April 11, 1837, 
was dismissed April 11, 1844, and from that time until 
July 1, 1850, supplied the congregation in Higganum, the 
North Parish of Haddam. Li the Spring of 1851, he 
retui'ned to Stockbridge, and has again taken up his resi- 
dence among us. 

Dr. F. married Miss Submit Dickinson, of Somers, Oc- 
tober 31, 1803, and has had ten children. Two among 
them, D. D. Field, Esq., of New York, and Stephen W. 
Field, Esq., of California, have been appointed, within a 
few years, to revise the laws of their respective States. — 
Miss Emilia Field was, for several years. Missionary in 
Asia, as will be particularly noticed in its place, and " H. 
M. F." and " M. E. F.," the youngest two of the family, 
are well known to the reading world. Dr. Field has dis- 
tinguished himself by his Historical Researches and Pub- 
lications, no less than as a divine. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 211 

Near the close of 1823, a proposal was made for the 
erection of a new house of worship, on some site less bleak 
and more convenient than the former. In this all were 
united ; but after much deliberation and discussion with 
regard to the exact locality, the parish divided, and built 
two houses instead of one. The old Society built upon 
the green at the west end of the village, within a few rods 
of the spot on which the mission church stood. This 
house is of brick, seventy feet by fifty, and was dedicated 
January 20, 1825. At first it was red, but it has since 
been painted white. In 1844:, the Ladies formed a Sew- 
ing Society, for the purpose of making improvements in 
the church, and contmued their labors for several years. — 
They first procured blinds, and afterwards carpets and a 
new set of chairs, lowered the galleries, shut the pulpit 
window, newly painted the interior, and by the addition of 
some contributions, procured a sofa for the pulpit. The 
pulpit was newly dressed in 1837, and some changes have 
since been made. A female member of the church pre- 
sented the beautiful communion table now in use ; the book- 
case for the Sabbath School, which took the place of a 
much smaller one, in 1848, was obtained by subscriptions ; 
and other furniture has been obtained in a similar manner, 
as it was called for. 

Immediately after the retirement of Dr. Field, Rev. 
Tertius S. Clarke from Haddam supplied the pulpit, and 
was installed pastor, June 15, 1837. He continued with 
us until May 5, 1850, when he took leave of the people : 
and he was settled in Penn Yan, N. Y., during the same 
season ; the date he has not given. With respect to his 
ancestry, birth, &c., Mr. Clarke states, that he was "born 
in Westhampton, Mass., December 17, 1799, that he was 
graduated at Yale, September, 1824, studied Theology at 
Auburn, and supposes that he can trace his ancestry as far 
back as to the May Flower." He married Miss Almira 
A. Marshall of Granville, Mass., a native of Winchestei*, 
Conn. They have four children, and have buried one. 
Mr. Clarke's first parish was Bloody Brook, Mass., and his 
second, Haddam, Conn. 

On the dismission of Mr. Clarke, several candidates 
either offered themselves, or were offered by their friends ; 
but the society seemed to have acted upon the Indian's 



212 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PIIESENT ; 

rule with his son — " The more yon say bow and arrow, the 
more I'll not make it," — for they selected one of whose 
family and history they had no information, and who must 
turn from other eligible situations to accept a call from us. 
This stranger was Rev. Alfred H. Dashiell Jr., whose father 
and grandfather were both clergymen. He was born near 
Baltimore, January 9, 1824, graduated at Delaware Col- 
lege in 1843, and at the Theological Seminary in New 
York city, 1847. He had previously been sent to labor 
in destitute places while unable to prosecute his studies ; 
and after graduating at New York was sent as a Home 
Missionary to Missouri. 

Mr. Dashiell was descended from a persecuted Huguenot, 
who took refuge in England, after the revocation of the 
Edict of Nantes, and there married into one of the noble 
families, which, however, he prefers simply to call puritan. 
His wife, no whit beneath him in the rank or godliness of 
her ancestry, was Miss Mary Mason of New York ; and 
we esteem it no small favor of Providence, that He has 
furnished us so many pastors upon whose heads have rest- 
ed the accumulated blessings of a holy j^arentage. 

Having accepted the call of the people after a period of 
probation, Mr. Dashiell was mstalled December 11, 1850. 
Sermon by Mr. Smith of Lee ; chargie to the people by 
Mr. Turner of Barrington ; charge to the pastor by Dr. 
A. Peters of Williamstown ; and right hand of fellowship 
by Mr. Lasell of West Stockbridge. 

Having thus brought the Ecclesiastical History of the 
first Church down to the present time, we will next trace 
that of the North, or Curtisville Church. And here 
it should be premised, that besides being a small society, 
Curtisville is chiefly a manufacturing district, and con- 
stantly subject to fluctuations. Since 1825, the owners of 
the principal establishment have been "absentees;" and 
Ave know the evils of absenteeism too well to expect under 
it that system and thrift which we see elsewhere. The 
few inhabitants Avho have continued in the parish from 
year to year have found that with a new capitalist, new 
operatives, or a new pastor almost annually, there must be 
more laying of foundations, than crowning with top-stones. 

Those who withdrew from the old society at first had 
constituted about one-fourth of that body. The church 



OK, RECOltDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 213 

was organized December 22, 1824, and consisted of sixty- 
three members. They erected a brick edifice sixty-one by 
forty, a few rods North of the Larawaugh school house, 
which was dedicated January 10, 1827, and Rev. Nathan 
Shaw from West Stockbridge was installed pastor on the 
same day. Previous to this time they had worshiped in 
the school house, and hired preachers for limited periods. 
Among them were Rev. Alfred Chester, Rev. Samuel 
Shepherd, &c. 

Mr. Shaw continued to preach until March 9, 1831, 
when he was dismissed, and the church was for some years 
without a settled j^astor. During the Summer of 1831, 

Rev. Blakesley labored for a time. Afterward, Mr. 

Hudson was there two years and a half, leaving in the 
Spring of 1837. He was followed during the Summer by 
Rev. Joseph Hurlburt,who was installed Nov. 22, 1838, and 
dismissed June 1 6, 1840. The 17th of the same month. Rev. J. 
T. Headley, well known by his various publications, was or- 
dained pastor, having supplied during the previous 6 months. 
He was dismissed in the Spring of 1842, and Mr. Turner of 
Barrington, now a Home Missionary, and Mr. Hurlburt, 
supplied during the Summer and Fall. Mr. Thayer spent 
the next winter in the field, and June 26, 1844, Rev. 
Raljih Smith was installed. October 10, 1845, he was 
dismissed, and retired for a time from the ministry ; but 
was afterwards settled in Lee. Mr. Otis Lombard follow- 
ed Mr. Smith, but only as a supply, and left April 1, 1846. 
Others supplied until the introduction of Mr. L. P. Gid- 
dings, who was installed December 2, 1846, and dismissed 
April 1, 1849. The present pastor, Rev. Winthrop H. 
Phelps commenced his ministry among them during the 
Summer of 1849, and was installed November 6th of that 
year. He was born at Albany in March, 1818, graduated 
in 1842, and completed his course at the Theological 
Seminary in New York, in 1845. His puritan ancestor 
was William Phelps, who came to this country in 1630, 

During the ministry of Mr. Hudson, the Society remov- 
ed their house of worship to Curtisville, where it was 
newly dedicated. The ladies, not only the old inhabitants, 
but othei-s who have come in to engage in the manufac- 
tories, have plied theu' needles with a very laudable skill 
and perseverance in behalf of the temple, and have done 
10* 



214 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

much to repair and furnish it. "Pray for the peace of Je- 
rusalem ; they shall prosper that love thee." 

Several years previous to the dismission of Dr. Field, 
viz : February, 1834, an Episcopal Society had been form- 
ed, service being held in what is now called the Lecture 
Room, and Rev. Samuel P. Parker had officiated, com- 
mencing July 13, of the above mentioned year. Rev. 
Calvin Wolcott took the place of Mr. Parker, August 21, 
1836, and at the same time taught the Academy. In 
August, 1844, their church edifice was dedicated, and Mr. 
Parker, having again officiated since July, 1837, was at 
the same time duly set over the church and parish. In 
July, 1846, he took a dismission, and was succeeded in 
September by Rev. Justin Field. In January, 1849, Mr. 
Field left, and since June of that year. Rev. Thomas R. 
Pynchon has filled the post. 

Aided by friends in Stockbridge, the Society raised 
S1300 for the erection of the church, and $1500 were ob- 
tained elsewhere. The Bible and Prayer Book were the 
gift of Professor Reid of Union College, and the Com- 
munion Plate, of Parker L. Hall Esq. of Pittsfield. A 
Sewing Society connected with the parish, has also been 
very efficient in supporting its worship. 

A Methodist Church has been in existence for a num- 
ber of years, but that denomination has never erected a 
house of worship. In the Spring of 1850 a minister was 
stationed here, — Mr. Horton — a very excellent man ; but 
he died in the course of the Summer, and Rev. R. W. 
Keeler has succeeded to the office. This Society, like the 
Episcopal, includes all parts of the town. 

The late Rev. Dr. Charles Follen conducted Unitarian 
service in a private house on Sabbath afternoons during 
the Summer of 1836. A Universalist clergyman has 
preached at times with some regularity in Curtisville, and 
the Irish Papists often collect in great numbers for wor- 
ship in the village ; but the mass of the native population 
have always united with one of the three denominations, 
Congregational, Episcopal or Methodist. 

In the Autumn of 1853, an Independent Church was 
formed in Glendale, under the auspices of Rev. Horatio 
Foot, an evangelist ; but it became extinct in a very short 
time. Baptist service has occasionally been held in that 



OR, RECOROS OF AN OLD RirSSION STATION. 215 

part of the town, a,nd a Sabbath School has been sustained 
there ; but no house of Avorship has been erected, or pas- 
tor statedly employed, for any length of time. 

At first, as has been observed, the support of the Gos- 
pel in Stockbridge was drawn chiefly from Great Britain. 
The Society which supplied the funds was formed at the 
suggestion of Apostle Eliot, for the support, at first, of his 
Missions. Collections were taken up for the establish- 
ment of a fund, — a large sum, let us not forget, being con- 
tributed in Ireland, — and Edward Winslow obtained a 
Charter. The officers received no salaries ; their meetings 
were held in London, at Cooper's Hall, and the books were 
kept open for inspection. After the Restoration, 1664, 
Sir Robert Boyle, having saved the old Charter from sei- 
zure by the crown, and procured a new one, was chosen 
President. Before the establishment of the mission here, 
a great ajjathy had existed upon the subject, and a large 
amount was expended in the support of Episcopal, in op- 
position to Puritan churches. But the success here soon 
led to other missions, to which more or less was devoted. 
A collection was taken up in Boston annually for the ob- 
jects of the Society, which in 1718 amounted to nearly 
£1,000. Near the close of Mr. Sergeant's life, England 
became remiss, it ■would seem, and Scotland became more 
interested. The distinguished Mr. Erskine of Scotland 
used his influence in behalf of President Edwards ; and 
Dr. West, until 1775, received much of his support from 
that country. After that time, he received £80, and his 
wood, and when dollars and cents became our currency, 
S400 was his salary, raised by taxation. The salary of 
Mr. Swift was $400. 

Dr. Field received S700, and Mr. Clarke $700. Mr. 
Dashiell has the same. Since the system of taxation was 
abolished, the salary has been raised by subscription until 
the last nine years. For that time it has been raised by 
the sale of slips and pews annually. 

The house was built by subscription, and the pews and 
slips were at first sold. But the owners have generally 
relinquished their clauns without compensation. A few 
have sold to the Society, and a few still hold their seats as 
real estate. 

In the winter of 1831, the house of Dr. Field was con- 



216 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND I'RESENT; 

sumed by fire, and the people subscribed SI 400 for the 
erection of a new one. In olden time a pastor was, as it 
were, planted in his parish, and there yielded fruit in old 
age. Then he owned a house, and, in the countrj^, a farm. 
But in this age of the world, ministers must keep upon 
the march as well as arts, intellect, &c., and when Mr. 
Clarke came among us, it was felt that the pastor's resi- 
dence should be the property of the parish, and stand 
ready for his successor. Accordingly a parsonage was 
built in 1838-9 ; but not being fully paid for, and the busi- 
ness being involved in difficulties not easily raveled, it 
was thought best, in 1850, to sell. Curtisville also owned 
a parsonage at one time ; but sold it some years since. 

Finding great difiiculty in the administration of disci- 
pline without a Constitution, the church in 1818 instructed 
Mr. Swift to draw up one for their adoption. This he did, 
and it was presented, signed by the members convened for 
that purpose, and ordered to be published, at a church 
meeting, June 25, 1818. Mr. Elijah Brown and Mr. Jo- 
siah Jones were appointed a cormnittee to superintend the 
jDublication, September 2. Such was the novelty of the 
measure at the time, that the neighboring churches became 
alarmed, and believed that Stockbridge was forming a new 
organization, and Avithdrawing itself from their fellowship. 
The original document, as it was presented, is at hand, with 
the signatures of the church members — in manuscript — 
and also printed coj)ies. There is little alteration in the 
matter, though in the arrangement of disciplinable offen- 
ces there is quite a change. These were published before 
the close of 1818 ; 300 copies without the explanations, for 
the church, and one hundred with explanations, for distri- 
bution among other churches in the county, to quiet any 
still existing fears. A second edition was published in 
1827, to which the names of the members were appended ; 
and, the rules of the church having been revised, a new 
issue is soon to be made in which regard is paid to the 
love of ancestry and research now prevalent in the com- 
munity. It is also to be accompanied by a Historical 
Preface. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 217 



SECTION XXXVII 



DEACONS OF THE CHURCHES. 

The earliest deacons of tliis cbui'cli were Timothy 
Woodbridge and Peter Pauquaiinaupeet, who have been 
mentioned. Then succeeded in order, Samuel Brown, 
Ebiathan Curtis, Stephen Nash, Elisha Bradley, Timothy 
Edwards, Erastus Sergeant, Ebenezer Plumb, Ebenezer 
Cook, Stephen James, Jonathan Ingersoll, John Wliiton, 
Alfred Perry, Josiah Jones, Lystra Taylor, Sewall Ser- 
geant, John Hufnagle, William Wliitney, and Joseph I. 
Crosby. 

Deacon Nash was a peculiarly venerable man. A little 
child was asked in school "Who was the first man?" and 
promptly and honestly answered, "• Deacon Nash." 

Deacon Jonathan Ingersoll, elected to the office in 1814, 
was for eleven months in the Revolutionary Ai-my. He 
was then a minor. December 25, 1780, he married Miss 
Eunice Pixley of Stockbridge, and remained here until 
his death, December 21, 1840. He was eminently a man 
of peace, and warm hearted charity. It was liis constant 
practice, previous to a communion season, to take the 
names of the church members to some place of retire- 
ment, and pray for each individually. In the later part of 
his life, one petition in his public prayers was as constant 
as it was appropriate to the wants of the age, viz : that we 
might " discern things spiritual, spiritually." 

Deacon Josiah Jones was the son of Captain J. Jones of 
Stockbridge, and born September 9, 1769. He married 
Miss Fidelia West, January G, 1797, was chosen deacon 
in 1820, and died February 10, 1834. It Avas Deacon 
Jones and Mr. Timothy Turner of Barrington, who de- 
vised and procured the institution of the Conferences of 
churches, which received so many smiles of Heaven be- 
tween the years of 1826, and 1832. Always enjoying 
religious meetings, he was particularly interested in these ; 



218 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

but when they came to be looked upon as a part of revival 
machinery, instead of a mere looking for the blessing, and 
an opening of the hand to receive it, he was as ready to 
see them discontinued as he had been to establish them. 
It is with pleasure that we hail a revival of those holy 
convocations. But may past experience make us all wary. 
Let us not come down from God, to trust in man. 

Dr. Alfred Perry was also chosen deacon in 1820. He 
was born in Newington, Ct., where his father was then 
pastor, but in 1784 removed to Richmond in this county, 
with his parents. In 1803 he was graduated at "Williams 
College. For several years he was in feeble health, but 
taught for a time in Westfield Academy, and for a few 
years in South Carolina, whither he had gone for his 
health. He completed his medical studies at the Philadel- 
phia Institution, then under the care of Dr. Rush, and 
commenced practice in Williamstown. November 1,1814, 
he was married to JNIiss Lucy Benjamin of that town, and 
in November 1815, he removed to Stockbridge. In 1837 
he went to Illinois, and having fixed upon a location, re- 
moved his family in June, 1838 ; but died September 10th 
of the same year. 

As a christian, and a deacon in the church. Dr. Perry 
was peculiarly active ; and as a physician fervently belov- 
ed by his patients, and trusted with a fearlessness which 
was sometimes denominated idolatry. He was a man of 
great patience and firmness, and differed from many of his 
day in both his religious and his medical views ; but this, 
even to many who diifered from him, was but the means of 
raising their esteem for his forgiving spirit. It was very 
rare that he spoke of the practice of other physicians, un- 
less it met his own views ; and in religious matters, though 
he steadfastly adhered to what he believed to be right, still 
he maintained an unusual degree of quietness and self- 
possession, and when convinced of an error, no man was 
more prompt to acknowledge it and seek forgiveness. 

In 1838, Major Sewall Sergeant, and in 1840, Mr. John 
Hufnagle, were chosen to the office. In 1847 Mr. Hufna- 
gle resigned, and the same year Mr. Joseph I. Crosby and 
Mr. William Whitney were chosen. 

When the North church was set off, Mr. Daniel Fair- 
child and Mr. David Curtis were chosen deacons. Dea- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 219 

con Fail-child died in 1830, and Deacon Curtis removed 
soon afterward. J. W. Marsh and Daniel Fairchild Jr., 
succeeded. Deacon Marsh has since removed, and Timo- 
thy Lombard has been chosen to his place. Samuel In- 
gersoU also held the office for a time. 

— # — 

SECTI ON XXXVIII. 

RELIGION. — RADICAL AND PRODUCTIVE. 

Besides the revivals of religion in this church in early- 
times, to which allusion has been made, there were others 
in 1773, 1782, 1790, '91 and 92, and in 1799, by which 
16, 24, 46, and 20 were gathered into the church. For 
two or three years previous to January 1813, there was 
unusual seriousness, and on the first Sabbath of the year, 
thirteen united with the church. This was the commence- 
ment of a powerful work, during which more than one 
hundred were hopefully converted. Sixty-seven made a 
profession in June, and others afterwards. This, to the 
present day, is denominated the revival, and many inci- 
dents are remembered of unusual interest. One family, 
living miles from the pastor's, was visited before breakfast 
one morning by the junior pastor, and a member of it 
states that this interest for their salvation broke down the 
opposition of heart which had held her waking, and led 
her, as she trusts, to lay her soul at the feet of Jesus. A 
convert who stood at the head of a family complained that 
he had not the power to establish family prayer. He was 
advised to assemble his family, read a chapter in the Bi- 
ble, and say, "God be merciful to me a sinner." This he 
thought he might go through, but no more. When his 
pastor afterwards called to learn his success, he said that 
he had followed the directions, and got on very well until 
it came to the time to stop ; but that it seemed as if he 
could never do. He found no trouble in praying now. 

The case of Dr. Jones has been published more than 
once. His wife and Mrs. John S. Hopkins had been for 



220 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

some time united in prayer for the conversion of their hus- 
bands. The opposition of Dr. Jones had been roused by 
a sermon upon moral inability ; and rising the next morn- 
ing in the same state of mind, he passed into another 
room to which his wife soon followed him, committing her 
way, and that of her partner, to him who had promised to 
direct. What was her surprise on entering, to find him 
on his knees, giving thanks for redeeming grace. As soon 
as she could leave, she started to tell her friend ; but she 
met her on the way, coming to bring similar tidings. It 
is supposed that both were converted at the same moment. 

Meetings held by the pastor for the particular instruc- 
tion of children during this revival were very solemn ; 
and no doubt many seeds sown at that time in the fresh 
soil, were watered by unseen drops from time to time, until 
another shower of grace brought them to light, and caused 
them to put forth foliage. It is not the one moment of 
conversion alone, that is a moment of growth in the gar- 
den of God. Without that moment, all is in vain ; but 
may not much pride and distrust be mixed with the sad- 
ness of christians when they do not see that fruit of their 
labors ? It is always working time in the garden, and 
always growing time ; but not always springing time. If 
the laborers are awake, wise, and busy, looking up, all will 
prosper ; but if otherwise, then is the time to be sad. 

The next revival was in 1821, when 94 were added to 
the church. It was then, first, that inquiry meetings were 
held here. Again in 1827, a refreshing was experienced. 
It was early in that winter that the Conferences of the 
Churches commenced. Fifty-five united with the church. 
Other revivals were enjoyed in 1831, 1838, 1842, and 
1849. 

And now that we have marked the ingathering of 
laborers, we will look at the various departments of chris- 
tian labor, and see what has been produced. " By their 
fruits ye shall know them." And first : — 

THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE YOUNG, 

Besides the " Young Men's," and " Young Women's 
Meetings," spoken of in the Biographical notice of Dr. 
West, the Assembly's Catechism was fi-om the earliest 
times taught in the family and in school. But as this was 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 221 

too often done as a mere form, unaccompanied by explana- 
tions, the pupils received little knowledge unless induced 
to commit it to memory. But the form, even when the 
teacher must turn prompter after the first eight or ten 
answers, was not without its use in keeping up in the mind 
of the child an impression that the Lord was the God ; 
though the penance of receiving uistruction of which he 
understood nothing, after the visual hour for school to 
close, when his mind was occupied with his state of fasting, 
and with the Saturday afternoon sports, which he felt were 
every moment retrenched, had not a tendency to give those 
whose religious instruction was limited to the school, a 
veiy deep or lively impression of the pleasure and duty 
of giving to that God the first and the best. The compar- 
atively few Avho could repeat the whole had a fund for 
other years ; yet even to them there was this drawback, 
that what is committed to memory without the understand- 
ing, seems seldom so vividly significant in after life, the 
mind having become habituated to the words, disconnected 
from the ideas. 

But in Stockbridge, all these evils were remedied, so 
far as it could be done after their occurrence, by a course 
of Catechetical Lectures delivered by Mr. Field previous 
to the removal of the congregation from the old church. 
Then the lock of the Catechism sprang open, and the light 
that streamed from its pages was seen and felt to be but a 
reflection from the Oracles of God. And why might not 
our pastoi's, without increasing their labors, deliver, at 
least once during each settlement, a similar course on 
Sabbath mornings, the answers commented upon being the 
lesson for the day in the Sunday School ? Would it not 
have the effect to make their hearers more sound in the 
faith, without any loss of spii'ituality ? 

It is believed to have been during the summer of 1813, 
that three females gathered a few children in a chamber 
of the house of Dr. Jones, the one now occupied by Mr. 
Sheldon, and taught them on Sabbath afternoon. The 
next summer a Sabbath School was opened in the west 
room of the " old Academy." The following summer it 
was so increased that it was taught in the upper room, 
still as a third exercise. Other parts of the town united 
at the church, and employed the intermission in instruc- 



222 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

tion, and about 1817, the village school was brought under 
the same regulations. 

The Library was purchased soon after the removal to 
the present house of worship. It now consists of nearly 
six hundred volumes. Curtisville and Glendale have also 
Sabbath School Libraries, as has the Episcopal Church. 

About the year 1824-5, Mr. Field commenced the 
instruction of a Bible Class. For a time the pupils were 
questioned upon the lesson, and then the pastor com- 
mented upon the whole, closing, as he had commenced, 
with prayer. After some years, the exercise of recitation 
was somewhat shortened, and a question, previously pro- 
pounded, was discussed. This was the course pursued 
during the Summer of 1828, but towards the close of that 
season, (we believe,) the pupils were requested to write 
upon the questions, and read their own essays. This was 
of great benefit. When in June 1829, a missionary to 
Asia was examined for ordination in this vicinity, and 
some of the greatest divines in the country were called 
upon the council, it was observed that not one question 
upon Theology was propounded to the candidate, which 
had not become, in Mr. Field's Bible Class, as familiar as 
the " Cradle Hymn." This class, we are ashamed to say, 
was discontinued for want of pupils before the dismission 
of Dr. Field. Another was commenced during the Sum- 
mer of 1837, and to place it on a permanent footing, about 
twenty pupils were pledged to attend. The lesson was a 
question of Theology, which the pupils were to prove 
fully from Scripture, the proofs being written in a book 
kept for the purpose, and read at the meetings. Being 
absent from Stockbridge after August, the writer of this 
reminiscence is unable to give its farther progress, save 
that it was not in existence the following winter. 

Mr. Dashiell has now a Bible Class in which he is ex- 
pounding the Assembly's Catechism. May command- 
ment be given concerning it, " destroy it not, for a blessing 
is in it." 

At times a Bible Class has also been taught in Curtis- 
ville, and also by Mr. Parker, the Episcopal clergyman. 

The Sabbath School Concert has been observed for 
many years, but not regularly, or with due spirit. A Ma- 
ternal Association was established about 1831 or '32 ; but 



OB, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 223 

the same may be said of it as has been said of the Sab- 
bath School Concert ; and for several years past it has 
been entirely discontinued. 

2d. promotion of christian morals. 

During the war of 1812, the people were much annoyed 
by the passing of teams on the Sabbath, going to and 
from the army. The road through here was at the time a 
thoroughfare. On this account a "Moral Society" was 
formed, which had for its object the suppression of Intem- 
perance, Sabbath-breaking, and Profanity. Members 
took their turns in spending the Sabbath at the Hotel to 
stop travelers, hand-bill tracts were circulated, and efforts 
were made to purify the sacred inclosure of the church 
jfrom these sins. But the public mind was not ripe for 
these doctrines, and especially when they were carried 
out ; and, brow-beaten and discouraged, the Society be- 
came extinct. Since then, no especial efforts have been 
made in behalf of the 3d or the 4th commandment. They 
are as well observed as in other New England villages, but 
not as well as they should be, certainly. Sadly would our 
ancestors have sighed, had they foreseen that at the pres- 
ent enlightened age, professors of religion could be found 
who not only were tardy in commencmg the Sabbath, but 
acted upon the principle that its sacredness began to 
abate as its shadows lengthened. 

The American Temperance Society was formed in 
Boston, Feb. 13, 1826, and met first, as a Society, on the 
12th of March the same year. An auxiliary Society was 
formed in Stockbridge through the energetic efforts of Dr. 
Perry, as early as the Summer of 1827, and we believe 
during the Summer of 1826. The cause received a new 
impulse some years afterward, when the plan of total ab- 
stinence was adopted. From 1840 to 1843, it was unusu- 
ally flourishing ; and within the last two years has again 
excited interest. During the autumn of 1851, a spirited 
County Meeting was held in the South Church, the house 
being beautifully and appropriately decorated by the young 
ladies, assisted, of course, by the gentlemen. In these 
decorations our younger sister, Maine, received her just 
meed of praise. We kept her long under our fostering 



224 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

care, as if she were incapable of managing her own con- 
cerns ; but since she has slipped the leading strings of 
Massachusetts, she has " grown wiser than her teachers." 
Her plan of burying the tyrant, reminds one of the stanza 
in a parody often sung during the " Harrison Campaign" — 
"Who dug his grave ? 
I, says sturdy Maine, and I'll do it again ! 
I dug his grave.'' 

3d. religious charities. 

The Berkshire and Columbia Missionary Society was 
formed Febmary 21, 1798, and up to 1829, its funds 
amounted to S13,776,03. Of this sum Stockbridge con- 
tributed $758,60, and Lee S708,73. No other town had 
gone over S339,16, the sum contributed by Richmond. 
The object of the Society was what is now called Home 
Missions. Its amiiversary was the third Tuesday in Sep- 
tember. 

The Berkshire Bible Society was organized June 17, 
1817. In 1829, Stockbridge collected for this object S90,- 
64. Lenox, Lee and Pittsfield exceeded us. Lenox gave 
$100, Lee $109,31, and Pittsfield $205,66. 

July 6, 1818, the County Education Society was form- 
ed. Up to 1829, Stockbridge had given $159,98, Pitts- 
field $585,40, Lee $356,39. No other toAvn had reached 
$100. 

June 15, 1825, the Berkshire Missionary Society was 
formed. In 1829, Stockbridge gave $152,87 to this ob- 
ject, but was exceeded by Williamstown, Pittsfield, Lenox 
and Lee. "Let us consider one another, to provoke unto 
love and good works."* 

A Cent Society was formed in Stockbridge when that 
plan of charity was in operation, which continued for 
several years. 



* We find, by examining the report of charities laid before 
the Berkshire Association, that, exclusive of bequests, and of 
the sums raised by Sewing Societies, the Congregational 
Churches in Stockbridge gave in 1851, $632; Lee $755,86; 
Hinsdale $811,71; and Pittsfield $1755,30. Hin.sdaie Sew- 
ing Society raised $6,10 ; and Pittsfield $25,70. No other 
towns raised, with the above mentioned exclusions, over 
$575,61, the donation of Lenox. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 225 

As early as 1817 or 18, the ladies of the village and its 
vicinity formed a Sewing Society. This was when such 
organizations were almost unknown ; for a writer for the 
Christian Intelligencer, (which was not commenced until 
May, 1817,) and we think during its 2d year, gives an ac- 
count of such a Society in Pittsfield, where he had just 
been visiting, recommending it to the consideration of 
ladies throughout the country. Previous to September 20, 
1820, this Society had adopted the rule of making a small 
bridal present to each member at her marriage. One of 
the early objects to which its funds were appropriated, was 
the education cause. But after the establishment of the 
Academy here, several circumstances transpired to lessen 
the regard of the people for the operations of the Educa- 
tion Society, and the Sewing Society became extinct for a 
season, after the Summer of 1823. But in the autumn of 
1824 it was in active operation; and during the Greek 
struggle, a box of clothing was sent to the sufferers. 
After the establishment of the Smyrna Mission by Mr. 
and Mrs. Brewer, the funds of this Society were appropri- 
ated to the support of its School. In 1838, the Mission 
was broken up ; and for a time after that date, the ladies 
supported a Colporteur in France. This was then the only 
effort of the kind made in this country. In 1841, this 
Society also became extinct; but in the Spring of 1843, a 
new one was formed for the repairing and beautifying of 
the church edifice, which continued until the Summer of 
1848. In the autumn of 1850, a new organization was 
effected, without any fixed object. Several causes have 
already been aided. 

Besides the objects above named, sums have at times 
been appropriated to others ; but these ai'e the principal. 
For several years the ladies of the East part of the town 
were united with those of the village in the support of the 
Greek, or as it Avas sometimes called, the Stockbridge 
School in Smyrna. Afterwards they had an organization 
of their own, and have been engaged in filling boxes for 
different Missionary stations. Besides these, other boxes 
have been often filled, averaging for the last seven or eight 
years, about one annually. Several Juvenile Societies 
have also existed for a time. During the continuance of 
the Foreign Mission School, loads of clothing and provis- 



226 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

ion were sent from this place ; aid was furaished to the 
Madeira Isles in their distress, and also to Ireland. When 
Kossuth landed upon our shores, Stockbridge was the first 
town in the State to lend him a helping hand. Upon a 
notice of ten days, S150 were raised by a Fair, though the 
evening was unusually tempestuous, and in the course of 
the week the sum was increased by donations to S200. A 
description of this Fair, together with the letter of Kos- 
suth to the ladies of Stockbridge, we give in the Appen- 
dix, (I.) 

At one time, some thirty years ago, a Society existed 
here auxiliary to the Society for Meliorating the condition 
of the Jews. But it declined with the parent Society, 
and has not, with that, been revived. That object, how- 
ever, has been admitted as one to claim attention in fature ; 
collections to be taken in November. 

About 1840, the South Congregational Society adopted 
a system of Charities which is still observed. Seven ob- 
jects were selected as those which should receive the pat- 
ronage of the people, and be admitted into the pulpit an- 
nually. To each of these was assigned its period ; a 
Treasurer and Secretary are appointed for each at the 
annual meeting, who, in their turn, appoint their Collectors, 
and receive and transmit the funds. The objects these 
aided are, for January and February, the Seaman's Friend 
Society ; Receipt in 1852, $38,00. March and April, 
Theological Education at the "West; Receipt in 1851, $30,- 
00.* May and June, A. B. C. F. Missions ; Receipt in 
1851 $54,00. July, Colonization Society ; Receipt in 

1851, $21,00. August and September, Tract Society, 
$53,50. October and November, Home Missions ; Re- 
ceipt in 1851, $63,00. November, Jews' Society; Receipt 
in 1852, $12,00. December, Bible Society ; Receipt in 

1852, S56,00. 

During the Summer of 1851, the American and For- 
eign Christian Union was allowed to present its claims, 
and $69 were collected. $85 were also given to Mr. By- 
ington, then on a visit to his old home, besides $25 in goods. 
Thus, though we profess not to have engaged in the cause 



*This object was omitted in 1852, and its payments may 
not be resumed. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD M ISSION STATION. 227 

of charity with that fervent gratitude which it demands, 
and while the Scripture proportions between " outward 
adorning," and " good works " is not always observed, we 
may still say with the inspired penman, " Thanks be unto 
God for this unspeakable gift." 

MISSIONARIES. 

Stockbridge has not only given for the support of Mis- 
sions, but the Concert of Prayer was early established, 
and is Avell sustained, and of her own sons and daughters 
she has contributed laborers for the work. Rev. Stephen 
Peet, an early Home Missionary, was from Stockbridge, 
and teachers in the far West and South claim this as their 
home. But passing over the early missions which have 
been mentioned in the Indian History, and the benevolent 
labors among those of our own Anglo Saxon race, we will 
only notice those who have entered the foreign field. 

Rev. Cyrus Byington, son of Captain Asahel and 
Mrs. Lucy Byington, was born March 11, 1793, in a house 
built by Judge Sedgwick, not far from the river, and west 
of his own residence. This house was afterward moved 
to the south end of the bridge, on the Barrington road, but 
is not now standing. From this house Mr. Byington was 
soon removed to what was called " the Peck house," which 
stood on the site afterwards occupied by Mr. F. Dresser ; 
now by Mr. Pierce. When about nine years old,, he again 
moved with his parents into the house in Goodrich Street, 
where they died. But here he did not long remain, being 
placed in the family of J. Woodbridge, Esq., in the village, 
where he continued until he was fitted for the practice of 
Law. During the revival of 1813, he was converted ; and 
he points out the present dwelling of Mr. Dashiell as the 
place of his second birth. After engaging for a time in 
the practice of Law, he decided to study Divinity, and en- 
tered the Theological Seminary at Andover. While there. 
Missionaries came from Georgia, and one of the Profes- 
sors hinted the subject of Missions to Mr. Byington. The 
seed of thought took root, for the plowshare of the Al- 
mighty had prepared the soil ; and when one of the Mis- 
sionaries visited him with the Professor, and talked to him 
of Indian Missions, " my heart " he says, " caught fire, and 
I said, * Here am I, send me.' " " I thought so," said the 



228 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

Professor, who had obsei'ved that his mind was ill at ease. 

In the autumn of 1821, a company of Missionaries left 
Worthington in this State, for the South. The farewell 
meeting was so full that the church was endangered by 
the weight. They sung " When shall we all meet again," 
and then in a large baggage wagon, with a basket hung 
between the seats, in which to cradle the infant, they set 
forth. On their reaching Stockbridge they paused awhile, 
and the good people assembled for prayer. The children 
of the village school were also taken to the public house 
to visit them. Mr. Byington was directed to accompany 
them a part of the way, and then he was advised to join 
the Mission. He left home September 20, taking with 
him his sister's Bible, and " Samt's Rest," the gift of his 
mother. That mother and sister he never saw again. His 
youngest sister joined him after he had followed the In- 
dians through the waste and howling wilderness to the 
wild home to which a Christian (?) government had driven 
them ; but she died soon afterward, July 29, 1839^ aged 
thirty-five. Mr. Byington has spent the last two Summers 
chiefly in New York, superintending the printing of the 
Bible in the Choctaw language. His station among that 
people he has named Stockbridge, and like nearly every 
Stockbridgean, he retains a strong fondness for home. 

Rev. JosiAH Brewer was a native of Monterey, in 
this County, then known only as Tyringham ; but in early 
life became a resident of this town, and afterwards a mem- 
ber of this church. He graduated at Yale College, and 
was sent as a Missionary to the Jews. "But deciding to 
labor among the Greeks, he returned and married Miss 
Emilia H. A. Field, December 1, 1829, and soon after sail- 
ed for Smyrna. Miss Field, born in Haddam, Ct., Febru- 
ary 22, 1807, came to this town soon after her father's set- 
tlement here, was hopefully converted in Wethersfield, 
united with this church, and went from here to Smyrna. — 
Mr. Brewer and family returned to this country in the 
autumn of 1838, and now reside in Middletown, Ct. 

Miss Catharine Watson spent much of her early life 
in Stockbridge, and was married from here in August, 
1832. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Watson, and 
grand-daughter of Judge Sedgwick. She Married Rev. 
Mr. Webb, Missionary of the Baptist Board to Burmah. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 229 

They returned for health some years since, and Mrs. "Webb 
died during the winter of 1847, aged about 40. 

Miss Catharine S. Sergeant, daughter of deacon Sewall 
Sergeant, Avas born in Stockbridge April 10, 1817, united 
with the church in this place in 1831 ; but from that time 
until her embarkation as a missionary, resided generally 
in Rochester, N. Y. She married Henry A. DeForest, 
M, D., August 6, 1840, sailed for France September 26, 
1841, and joined the Syi'ian Mission in the Spring of 1842. 
Station, Beyrout. 

Miss Sarah L. Perry, daughter of Mr. Frederic Perry, 
was born in the West part of this town, January 27, 1824 ; 
united with the church in Curtisville, and was married in 
the church in that village, to Rev. Philander O. Powers, 
November 9, 1842. She soon sailed for their field of 
labor, Broosa, but afterwards removed to Trebizond. 

Miss Mary Perry, daughter of Dr. Perry, was born in 
Stockbridge February 28, 1826, and would have united 
with this church at the age of 12, the church not wishing 
to admit members at an earlier age, but the unsettled state 
of the family prevented, and she did not make a profes- 
sion until 1842, wlieh she united with the church in "Wil- 
liamstown. September 8, 1847, she was married to Rev. 
J. Edwards Ford, missionary to Syria. They sailed late 
in December, 1847, and were stationed at Aleppo. 

Susan Jane, daughter of Mr. Jonathan Johnson, of the 
Northeast part of Stockbridge, left in October 1852, for 
the Choctaw Nation, as a teacher under the direction of 
the Methodist Board. She accompanied Rev. Mr. Carr 
and wife, and establishes with them a new Station. Age, 22. 

— # — 

SECTION XXXIX. 



GENERAL LITERATURE, 

In 1760, £6 10s were voted by the town to be appropria- 
ted to the establishment of an English School. Again in 
1762, £20 were appropriated to the English School, and 
Josiah Jones and Stephen Nash were chosen as the com- 
11 



230 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

mittee. In 17 Go, the Selectmen were ordered to take 
charge of the same, and procure a teacher. £30 were 
voted. These smns were to support the school as long as 
they held out, and at first probably paid a teacher but part 
of the year. In 1764, two school-houses were ordered to 
be built, one near Deacon Samuel Brown's, and the other 
on the "Plain." The first was eventually placed on the 
high ground at the corner below Mr. F. Perry's, and the 
other near the house of Mrs. J. Sedgwick. The A'ote was 
obtained to build it on the hill ; but there is no tradition of 
an early house there, and before 1785, one had been built 
for whites on the first mentioned site, and worn out, which 
argues that the vote was rescinded. The question was not 
settled until 1765. In 1767, £35 were voted, and the 
same in 1768. In 1769, Brown's school-house was moved 
to its final location, and the North part of the town was 
set off as a separate district, to extend as "far South as 
Orangh Stoddard's." In 1774, the East Street district was 
set oti", upon the petition of Samuel Whelpley, Ebenezer 
Murray, Caleb Galpin, Hall, Smith, Gray, Gershom and 
Pond, residents. The sum for the support of schools was 
then over £50. In 1781 and '83, it was £100 each year; 
in 1785, £75 ; in 1786, £100 ; in 1787, £80 ; in '88, 92 ; 
in '92, 92 ; in '94, 125 ; in '97, $500 ; in '98, 750 ; in '99 
and 1800, the same. In the last named year a committee 
was chosen to visit the schools, consisting of Rev. Dr. 
West, Judge Bacon and Barnabas Bidwell Esqs. — a trio 
not to be lightly esteemed. The sum of $750 was also 
voted in 1802, 3, 4 and 6. 

Towards the close of the century, a small house was 
built at the South end of Goodrich Street, in which Mrs. 
Jemima Nicholson, a sister of the Woodbridges, taught 
small children a part of the year. The earliest village 
teachers known, were Desire Nash, Mrs. Kirkland, Sarah 
Gray, Martha Williams, (afterwards Mrs Jeremiah West of 
Tolland,) and Mr. Gleazen. On tlie East Street, Rebecca 
Galpin, Solomon Jones, Gleason, Coffin and Johnson ; and 
in the Brown District, "Master Norton" and Miss Anna 
Phelps. But none of these certainly, were the first. To 
the earliest teachers "the memory of man runneth not." 
In Curtisville, the eccentric "Master Norton" was first. 
Pie was followed by Hosford, Collins, Church and Rachel 
Frisbee. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 231 

In later times, a school-house was built at the corner 
opposite the house of Mr. S. W. Jones. Here Theo- 
dore Dwight, John Kirkland, afterwards president 
of Harvard, Dr. Joseph Catlin, and "Ma'am Pynchon" 
taught. The great effort of the last was to teach spelling 
and politeness. At the same time Miss Phelps was teach- 
ing at the corner on the hill, Miss Polly Donnelly, after- 
wards the 2d wife of Mr. Kirkland, the missionary, taught 
in the old Indian boai'ding school house, and afterwards in 
the house now occupied by Mrs. H. Curtis, at the West 
end of the village. The main branch taught in her school 
was sewing. 

But, noted as were these two female teachers in their 
day, and great as was the respect ever entertained for 
them by their pupils, they were fully equaled by Miss 
Abby D., of a later period. "Miss Abby" taught for sev- 
eral years previous to 1811. Long will her pupils re- 
member her influence, quiet, yet strong, and the magic 
power of "the bugles," an ornamented necklace of black 
velvet, to win which was their highest ambition. After 
her came Mrs. L., a woman of devoted piety, but eccen- 
tric in views. Like Miss Pynchon, she too taught the 
various forms of etiquette, but mingled the ludicrous with 
the useful, to produce effect. Our next teacher was Miss 
Clarissa Jones, from Hebi'on, Ct., a teacher as unlike Mrs. 
L. as two true christians could be. The exercises of the 
day were distinguished only by the meekness and quiet- 
ness of the teacher, except that on Monday morning each 
pupil recited a Scripture lesson ; but at the close- Miss J. 
would kneel down at one end of the room, and commend 
us to her God so devoutly, and with such simplicity, that 
the heart must have been hard indeed which did not feel 
itself in the presence of Jehovah. But Miss J., though 
young, was ripe for Heaven, and, assuring those around 
her that her Savior was in sight, she took her departure, 
October 23, 1815, at the age of 28. 

Our present village school-house is fifty or sixty years 
old, the first which stood upon that spot having been con- 
sumed by fire. It is said that the site was once low ground, 
and overgrown by whortle-berry bushes. 

A Select School has several times been taught in Cur- 
tisville for a short season. That district was divided in 
1837. 



232 STOCKBRIDGC, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Stockbridge Academy was incorporated in 1828. Ma- 
jor Jared Curtis, since Chaplain in the Prison at Charles- 
town, had been teaching a select school in the village for a 
few months, and was chosen Preceptor. The school was 
then, and indeed until about 1837, was taught in what is 
now called the Lecture Room. After a time, the school of 
Major Curtis so far increased that Miss Frances E. Jones 
was employed as assistant. It was not long, however, be- 
fore Miss Jones was induced to establish a separate school 
for children and young ladies, which she continued with 
much success until 1826. Mr. Levi Clafflin filled her 
place as assistant. In 1825 Major Curtis left to study 
Theology. Mr. Jonathan Cutler commenced, September, 
1825, and taught until June, 1826. After him, were, 
Mark Hopkins, Elijah Whitney, Rufus Townsend, J. M. 
Howard, and Julius A. Fay. By the exertions of Mr. 
Fay, the funds for the new building were obtained. But 
he left, not far from the time of its completion. Mr. 
Wolcott, Episcopal Clergyman, afterwards taught for a 
time, and was followed by Mr. M. Warner, and Mr. H. 
Carter. In 1840, Mr. Edward W. B. Canning, who had 
been teaching in Wheeling, Va., took charge of the school, 
and still continues at the post. The pupils average forty 
per term. Mr. Cyrus Williams left a fund to this school 
in 1841, of $3,000, and it has since been called the Wil- 
liams Academy. Rev. Noah Sheldon taught a boarding 
school for boys in the village, from 1829 to 1840. Dur- 
ing much of that time, another similar school was taught 
by Rev. Samuel P. Parker. Mr. Marshall Warner, after 
teaching in the Academy, established a third boarding 
school in the West part of the town. Mr. Henry Carter 
established one in the village in November, 1840, and Mr. 
F. Fowler commenced another in the Spring of 1851.* 

In 1827, Miss Charlotte Whitney commenced in her 
own house a school for children, which she afterwards 
taught elsewhere until she erected the East part of what 
is now the house of Dr. Adams, and opened her school in 
that. Miss Lucy Atwater joined her, and erected the 
West part. The school was very popular, and was only 



* The last of these closed during the present year. The 
others continue. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 233 

broken up, like that of Miss Jones, by the marriage of the 
teacher, — in 1841. Miss Atwater was teaching elsewhere. 

Previous to the establishment of Williams College, va- 
rious young men Avere educated elsewhei'e, generally at 
Yale, Princeton, or Harvard. When that institution was 
founded Dr. West was appointed Vice President and 
Trustee, which offices he held from 1793 to 1812. Judge 
Bacon, Judge Sedgwick, and Colonel Williams were also 
chosen Trustees at the same time. In 1806 Joseph 
Woodbridge Esq. was chosen; in 1814 Dr. Thaddeus 
Pomeroy; 1829 Colonel Henry W. Dwight, andm 1836 
Mark Hopkins, also President. At the same time Mr. 
Hopkins was chosen Professor of Moral Philosophy and 
Metaphysics, having been, since 1830, Professor of Moral 
Philosophy and Rhetoric. Albert Hopkins was chosen 
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in 1829. 
Mark Hopkins was chosen to the Presidency in 1836. 
During the winter of 1852 he was employed to deliver 
Lectures before the Smithsonian Institute. 

The Tutors furnished by Stockbridge to Williams Col- 
lege are, Chauncey Lusk, from 1796 to 1798 ; Jared Cur- 
tis, from 1803 to 1804; Mark Hopkins, from 1825 to 
1827, and Albert Hopkins from 1827 to 1829. 

The first class of graduates from Williams College was 
composed of Samuel Bishop, John Collins, Chauncey 
Lusk, and Dan Stone. All lived in Stockbridge except 
Collins, who was a near neighbor of the other three, but 
lived within the bounds of Lenox. This was in 1795. In 
1798, Amasa Jerome and Oliver Sergeant were graduated. 
Both studied Divinity. Mr. J. was for a time employed 
as Home Missionary, but afterwards settled in New Hart- 
ford, Ct. 

In 1800, Jared Curtis was graduated. Having been 
employed in other departments for many years, he was 
Ordained, and has since been Chaplain, first in Auburn 
State Prison, and until June, 1852, in the Prison at 
Charlestown. In 1804, the gi-aduates from Stockbridge 
were Henry D. and Robert Sedgwick. 1805, Lot Rew, 
Avho, for a time taught school among the Stockbridge Indi- 
ans. In 1808 Richard H. Ashley, now teacher in New 
Canaan, N. Y. 1818, John Whiton, Clergyman. 1820, 
Edward Fairchild, Minister, teacher in Brooklyn, and 



234 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

Agent for the A. F. C. Union. 1824, Mark Hopkins, now 
President of the College, Minister. 1825, Robert Brown 
and Calvin Durfee, Ministers. 1826, Albert Hopkins, 
Professor in the College, Minister. 1827, Moses Ashley' 
Curtis, Minister. 1828, William P. Palmer, Lawyer in 
New York. 1832, Jonathan E. Field, Lawyer in Stock- 
bridge. 1837, William H. Whitney, Editor in Pittsburg, 
Stephen J. Field, Lawyer in California, and George N. 
Turner. 1838, Henry M. Field, Minister of West Spring- 
field. 1844, George W. Burrall, M. D.,in Illinois. 1847, 
Charles B. Sheldon, Minister in Oliio ; Samuel B. Shel- 
don, who died while fitting for the Ministry ; and Heniy 
Fowler, for a time Editor of Holden's Magazine, but now 
Editor in Chicago. 1850, Franklm D. Owen, Lawyer in 
Milwaukie, Wis. 

During the same period, many have been educated at 
other institutions, and others still have been more private- 
ly fitted for the professions ; but as a list of such must 
necessarily be imperfect, Ave will not attempt to give one. 
Those of the number who have received Degrees at Wil- 
liams, are, Horatio Jones, M. D., 1810 ; Timothy Wood- 
bridge, now Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, 1812; Charles Sedg- 
wick, 1814 ; Horatio Byington, now Judge of Common 
Pleas, 1835 ; David D. Field, 1838, and Theodore S. 
Pomeroy in 1820. 

The first Newspaper printed in the County was com- 
menced in tliis town in the fall of 1788. It was then call- 
ed the " Western Star," and was a weekly. The name 
was afterwards changed to Berkshire Star, under which ti- 
tle it was removed to Lenox in 1828. From March, 1841, 
until sometime during 1843, " The Visitor " was printed 
here, edited by J. E. Field, Esq. For several years also, 
about the same period, a Temperance paper was printed 
here. As an index of the taste and principles of the people 
in the matter of periodical literature, we give a list of the 
Periodicals taken from the South Post Ofl&ce in 1852. — 
Besides these, however, the Congregational parish is suj^- 
plied with the Axnerican Messenger, and the Journal of 
Missions, and to some extent with the Day Spring and 
Child's paper: 

Daily Tribune, 10 ; Semi-Weekly Tribune, 1 ; New 
York Observer, 17 ; Independent, 6 ; Semi- Weekly Spec- 



on, ERCORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 235 

tator, 3 ; Home Journal, 4 ; Daily Ilerakl, 3 ; New York 
Organ, 5 ; Daily Times, 3 ; New York Sun, 3 ; New York 
Post, 4 ; Christian Advocate, 6 ; Evening Post, 3 ; Chris- 
tian Inquirer, 3 ; Penny Dispatch, 3 ; Sailor's Magazine, 
9 ; Home Missionary, 10 ; Missionary Herald, 9 ; Harp- 
er's Magazine, 2 ; Blackwood's Magazine, 1 ; Spirit of 
the Times, 1 ; Guide to Holiness, 2 ; Theological Journal, 
1; Musical Review, 1; Boston Culturist, 14; New Eng- 
land Farmei-, 4 ; Youtli's Companion, C ; Christian Wit- 
ness, 2 ; Boston Pilot, 3 ; Medical Journal, 1 ; American 
Union, 4 ; Springfield Reporter, 4 ; National Era, 2 ; Pos- 
tal Guide, 1 ; Boston Advertiser, 1 ; Graham's Magazine, 
1 ; Massachusetts Spy, 1 ; Albany Cultivator, 2 ; Newark 
Sentinel, 1 ; Pittsfield Sun, 7 ; Massachusetts Eagle, 18 ; 
Grey Lock Sentinel, 4 ; New York Churchman, 1 ; Bar- 
rington Courier, G ; Christian Union, 4 ; Parlor Maga- 
zine, 4 ; Jewish Chronicle, 1 ; Merry's Museum, 3 ; Phre- 
nological Journal, 4 ; Watchman and Reflector, 1 ; Spring- 
field" Daily Post, 4 ; Northamjjton Courier, 1 ; Boston 
Weekly Journal, 2 ; National Intelligencer, 1 ; Boston 
Morning Daily Journal, 1; Culturist and Gazette, 14; 
London Quarterly Review, 1 ; Edinburgh Review, Qr., 1 ; 
Westminster Review, Qr., 1 ; Blackwood's Monthly Mag- 
azine, 1 ; North British Quarterly, 1 ; New England His- 
torical and Geneological Register, 2 ; Knickerbocker, 2. 

A jjublic Library was formed about 1790, which con- 
tinued in circulation until 1822, when it was sold at auc- 
tion, and purchased generally by owners of shares. In 
182G, a Juvenile Library was formed, Avhich still exists, 
enlarged, at the Academy. A Library Avas commenced 
in CurtisvlUe in 1814. Some of the school districts in 
town also, have common school libraries. 

About 1812, books for children being very rai'e, the lit^ 
tie girls of the village school formed a temporary associa- 
tion which might be called a Lending Society. Each one 
agreed on the one hand to lend her little library to mem- 
bers of the Society, and on the other hand to use with 
care, and retui'ii with promptness, whatever she borrowed. 
To carry this out, only one book Avas in the hands of the 
borrower at a time, and Saturday Avas chosen for the day 
of exchange. Could such a principle of faithfulness in 
the use of other's talents but pervade our adult commu- 



236 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

nity, how mucli might "knowledge be increased," and how 
many perplexities, vexations, and mortifications might be 
avoided. 

In the autumn of 1827, a Philomathian Association was 
formed, which continued until 1835. The members de- 
livered lectures, held debates, and, by their annual sub- 
scriptions, formed a library of the larger, and more ex- 
pensive periodicals of Great Britain and America. A 
Lyceum was also sustained for a short period. 

During the winter of 1838-9, the Lyceum was reform- 
ed, and continued until the winter of 1843-4. 

Li 1840, a Scientific Association was formed, which 
under that, and the name of "Society for the Promotion 
of Science and General Literature," continued until 1847. 
The members read original essays, and also collected a 
small, but valuable library. 

We may safely say that Stockbridge has produced its 
fair projjortion of authors, poets, &c. But their own 
works are their most appropriate commendation ; monu- 
ments, whose durability will be proportioned to their value. 



SECTION XL. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Erastus Sergeant, son of the missionary, was the 
first physician who established himself in Stockbridge. 
He studied with Dr. Thomas "Williams of Deerfield, and 
commenced practice in 1768. He was much esteemed^ 
and fitted more than twenty young men for the profession. 
He died November 14, 1814, at the age of 72. Among 
his students were, Dr. Stearnes of New York, Dr. Eoot, 
Dr. W^hitney, Dr. Catlin, Dr. Hopkins, Dr. James, Dr. 
W^illiams, S. W. Williams, Dr. Stoddard, Dr. Carrington, 
&;c. 

Dr. Oliver Partridge, born April 2G, 1757, studied 
medicine in Hatfield, and came to Stockbridge when quite 
young. He was particularly skillful in chronic complaints, 
and in detecting the diseases of children. He lived to 
the advanced age of 97, dying July 23d, 1848. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 237 

Dr. Tidmash CcOine to America as surgeon in the em- 
ployment of the British, and settled at Richmond, in this 
county, in 1778. Mrs. Edwards of Stockbridge, not long 
after, broke a limb, and employed him as her physician ; 
and his surgical skill gave such satisfaction, that he was 
led to settle here. He built the house lately occupied by 
Colonel Goodrich; died about 1790. 

Dr. Horatio Jones, son of Captain Josiah Jones, was 
born December 30, 1769, studied medicine in Philadel- 
phia, was settled in Stockbridge previous to 1800, the time 
of his marriage, and died April 26, 1813. We take the 
following extracts from his obituary : 

'• As a man, he combined in himself all those excellencies 
and virtues, which constituted him just what the excellent 
and the virtuous wished him to be. As a scholar, he was 
eminent. His researches were deep, thorough, and effectual. 
As a Physician, it is no more than justice to say, he had but 
few equals. In addition to his extensive medical knowledge 
and skill, he possessed, more than any other man we have 
ever known, the talent of rendering himself pleasing, easy, 
and agreeable to the objects of his professional attention. 
There was something in his manner, which, though indescri- 
bable, could almost restore the sick to health, and would in- 
duce a smile of complacency even on the pale cheek of the 
dying. Without any regard to his own ease or quiet, he de- 
voted all his time and talents to the service of the public. 
He possessed the entire confidence of all, and he was justly 
entitled to it. The loss of the community in the death of 
this distinguished man is irreparable.'' 

'•As a friend, companion, husband and father, he was 
above all price, and certainly above our poor praise. But the 
most distinguished trait in his character remains unmention- 
ed. He was a Christian. And as he drew nearer and 
nearer to the close of life, his joys and prospects continued 
to brighten ; and when he found all earthly objects fading 
from his view, and the light of eternity just opening upon 
him, he cried ' Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, ' and ' fell 
asleep.' '' 

Dr. Royal Fowler soon took the place of Dr. Jones. 
He was a native of Pittsfield, and had been practicing in 
Barrington. He was a peculiarly careful physician, and 
much confided in by his patients. He died in great peace, 
September 20, 1849, at the age of 63. Dr. Perry has 
been mentioned. At present, our Physicians are Dr. V. 
White, a native of Becket, who came to this place in 
11* 



238 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

1837, and settled in Curtisville ; Dr. L. S. Adams, a na- 
tive of New Marlborough, who came in 1838, and Dr. 
McAllister, who came in 1851. The last two are settled 
in the village. Dr. W. Ferine from New Jersey, practis- 
ed two years, but left in 1851. 



SECTION XLI. 



AFRICAN POPULATION, 

As, beyond all question, the dark cloud of slavery hung 
for a time over our beautiful valley, there is reason to 
suppose that Africans were held in bondage by our early 
families, though we have no knowledge of the fact. The 
first historical or traditional mention of the race in Stock- 
bridge is in 1751, when the family of President Edwards 
settled here. In his family, was a married Avoman by the 
name of Rose, who is said to have been stolen from Africa 
when a child, as she was getting water at a spring. She 
had not received her freedom, and her husband, Joab, Avas 
the slave of a Mr. Hunt of Northampton, but it is the tra- 
ditional account of the matter, that in his zeal to remove 
Mr. Edwards from Northampton, Hunt readily released 
liis bondman to come with him. 

After the death of President Edwards, if not before, 
Joab and his Avife settled in the South part of the town, 
AA^here he labored as a blacksmith. He Avas a man of good 
sense and steady, christian deportment. After the birth 
and death of several infants. Rose came to Dr. "West to 
request admission to the church, thinking that God had 
slain her children in anger, because of her neglect of this 
duty. The instructions of Dr. West upon the subject, not 
only led her to see her vmfitness for church membership, 
but the real alienation of her heart from God, and Avere 
blessed to her conversion. She united Avith the church, 
and ever after adorned her profession. After her death, 
Dr. West published an account of her christian life and 
experience in the "Theological Magazine." 

At the close of the Revolutionary War, some of the 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 239 

families residing liere had slaves in their possession. Di\ 
Sergeant had two, Joe Walker and Tamar, formei'ly a 
slave of Mr. Bull of "Westfield, and sold by him to Dr. 
Sergeant after his marriage. Captain Jones had one, Sa- 
rah, wife of Prince Wanton. These slaves were promis- 
ed their liberty at the end of two years. But before that 
period had expired, the Legislature of Massachusetts pass- 
ed the Act which abolished slavery in the Commonwealth. 
This Act was sent to the towns to receive the sanction of 
the people. The question excited much interest here. It 
was feared there might be opposition. Dr. West was in 
the habit of opening the Towai Meetings with prayer, and 
then retiring. But when the question of slavery, or no 
slavery, Avas to be put to the consciences and purses of his 
people, he waited to see which w^ould prevail. Conscience 
triumphed; those, it seems, who had just declared "all 
men of right free and equal," and opened their purses and 
offered their life blood to maintain the heaven-born truth, 
made no effort to vote in exceptions on the ground of col- 
or ; and when Dr. West took his hat and left, doubtless 
breathing his grateful acknowledgements to the Creator 
and Father of all. Judge Sedgwick audibly repeated the 
Scripture — " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in 
peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." 

Soon after this, a woman named Elizabeth Freeman 
fled from her master. Colonel Ashley of Sheffield, under 
circumstances of peculiar interest. Slavery in New Eng- 
land was of the mildest chai^acter possible in a depraved 
•world. Mastei's and mistresses labored in company with 
their slaves, familiarity was indulged, attachments were 
formed, and slaves were seldom sold from theif families, or 
ill-treated, farther than the one act of holding them in 
bondage. Consequently the soul stood in a measure erect, 
and would not bear the foot of oppression. Elizabeth was 
born in Claverack, N. Y., and was purchased from Mr. 
Ilogeboom of that town, by Colonel Ashley, at the age of 
six months. It w^as in the winter, and she was brought on 
the bottom of a sleigh, covered with straw, to Sheffield. 
A sister and herself remained in the family of Colonel 
Ashley until after the adoption of the Constitution ; and 
though her husband died in acliieving tlie liberty of her 
master's country, no measures were taken to extend to her 



240 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT J 

the same blessing. Under these circumstances, "she one 
day," says Mr. H. Sedgwick in a sketcli of her life, "saw 
a blow aimed at her sister with the heated kitchen sliovel," 
a fit of passion having led to this unusual barbarity. 
Betty interposed her own arm, and received a blow which 
left its scar for life, and then left the house, refusing to 
return upon any conditions. Colonel Asliley resorted to the 
law to recover her ; and the case was tried at Great Bar- 
rington. It was one of the first cases tested in this way, 
and the Massachusetts Bill of Rights — "that all men are 
born free and equal" — prevailed. Betty was made free, 
and thus a hope of success held out for those who, like her, 
were held in bondage contrary, not only to the laws of Na- 
ture and the rules of the Gospel, but to the accepted and 
recorded laws of the State. 

Judge Sedgwick was the principal agent in her deliver- 
ance, and Mum Bett, as she was afterwards called, imme- 
diately testified her gratitude by devoting herself to the 
service of his family in every way in her power. She had 
one child, called " Little Bett," and a family of grand- 
children and great-grand-children, whom she helped to 
maintain. Her usual employment was nursing, in which 
she was peculiarly skilled. Her good sense, skill and en- 
ergy, made her useful, and enabled her to become intelli- 
gent ; and that faithfulness with which she discharged her 
duties inducing entire confidence, she was an object of re- 
spect and esteem. Her death occurred in December, 1829, 
when she w^as supposed to be nearly 100 years of age. 

Another individual of the same race, who has been pe- 
culiarly distinguished in Stockbridge, is Agrippa Hull. — 
He was born in Northampton, in the days of slavery, but 
of free parents, who lived near Licking Water Bridge. — 
At the age of six, he was brought to Stockbridge by Joab, 
and lived here until 1777, when he enlisted as a soldier 
during the war. His mother had married a second hus- 
band, and he was living with his parents ; and not liking 
his step-father, he said " the war could not last too long 
for him." The first two years, which seem to have com- 
menced during the winter of 1777, he was servant to Col. 
Patterson ; but for four years he was in the service of 
Kosciusko, the Polish General. He was discharged at 
West Point, having been engaged six years and two 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 241 

months. He was afterwards in the service of Judge Sedg- 
wick, while that gentleman Avas a member of Congress in 
New York. 

Not long after the case of Mum Bett had been decided. 
Jane Darbj, the slave of Mr. Ingersoll of Lenox, it is 
said, left her master and took refuge in Stockbridge. She 
and Agrippa soon agreed to tread life's path in company ; 
but her master still claimed his chattel, and endeavored to 
sieze her. Agrippa applied to Judge Sedgwick for aid, 
and obtained her discharge. She was a woman of excel- 
lent character, and made a profession of her faith in Christ. 
Some years after her death, Agrippa married Margaret 
Timbroke, who still lives respected among us. In 1827, 
he became hopefully pious, and united with the church, 
evidently enlisting as he had done in the sei'vice of his 
country — for better or for worse, as long as life's warfare 
lasted. 

The character of Agrippa could scarcely be called ec- 
centric, and yet it was unique. He was witty, and his 
presence at weddings seemed almost a necessity. There, 
as he Avedged himself and his " good cheer " into every 
crowded corner, liis impromptu rhymes, and his courteous 
jokes, were always welcome. He had no cringing servility, 
and certainly never thought meanly of himself, or had op- 
portunity to do so, yet he was perfectly free from all airs 
and show of consequence. He seemed to feel himself 
every Avhit a man, Avhile, even in his public prayers, he 
gave thanks for the kind notice of his " white neighbors to 
a poor black nigger." His language was so simple, and 
his petitions often so peculiarly adapted to the every day 
needs of his hearers, or of those perishing around him, 
that a smile was sometimes provoked from the thoughtless ; 
but the true Avorshiper could not fail to realize his depen- 
dence upon Divine Grace for every right action or emo- 
tion, as Avell as for every breath. Nevei-, until the secrets 
of all hearts are revealed, can the school-boy, Avhose merry 
shouts fell upon his ear as he led the social circle in devo- 
tion, knoAV hoAV much of his faii'ness in games, or his safety 
from the wiles of those older than himself, was in answer 
to the fervent prayer of this humble servant of God then 
ascending for that, so often forgotten, blessing. While he 
lived too, the church always had one at least, who posses- 
sed " a spirit of grace and of sui^plication." 



242 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND present; 

In speaking of distinctions on account of color, though 
Agrippa was fai* from intruding himself uncalled, he would 
argue — " It is not the cover of the book, but what the book 
contains is the question. Many a good book has dark 
covers." " Which is the worst, the white black man, or 
the black wliite man ? to be black outside, or to be black 
inside ? " 

Once, when servant to a man who was haughty and 
overbearing, both Agrippa and his master attended the 
same church, to listen to a discourse from a distinguished 
mulatto preacher. On coming out of the house, the gen- 
tleman said to Agrippa, " Well, how do you like nigger 
preaching ? " " Sir," he pi-omptly retorted, " he Avas half 
black and half Avhite ; I liked mt/ half, how did you like 
yours ? " 

Thus he was ever ready with a patient, and often a wit- 
ty answer ; and he commended efforts for the good of his 
race still in bondage, by saying, " they will do good by 
helping them to keep down their bad feelings until deliv- 
erance comes." He felt deeply the wrongs of his nation, 
but his feelings rose on the wings of prayer, rather than 
burst from the muzzle of the musket. Had he lived to 
the present day, he was not the man to have taken up 
arms against the laws of his country which he had fought so 
long to redeem ; yet in principle he would have much pre- 
ferred the fugitive statute of Moses, — " Thou shalt not de- 
liver unto his master the servant which is escaped from 
his master unto thee ; he shall dwell with thee, even 
among you in that place which he shall choose, where it 
liketh him best." Deut. 23: 15,16; and, though unpre- 
suming himself, he might perhaps suggest for others, even 
that of " Paul the aged," — " Though I might be much 
bold in Christ to enjoin thee, yet for love's sake I rather 
beseech thee, receive him that is mine own bowels ; not 
now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, 
both in flesh and in the Lord. Receive him as myself." — 
Phil. 8 to 17th. 

Agrippa was born March 7, 1759, and died, after a long 
illness. May 1, 1848, aged nearly eighty-nine. 

Others of the race also, have " deserved well of their 
generation." Enoch Humphrey was a man of much 
sound sense and general intelligence. Jonah, his brother, 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 243 

went to Liberia, and was very favorably noticed there, but 
died soon. Mariann, a niece, lias, also, joined the colony, 
and has made herself useful, and expressed her satisfaction 
with its advantages. John Mars, also, from this church, 
and his sister, are there. But, perhaps from want of the 
proper information and encouragement, our colored popu- 
lation have manifested little interest in the enterprise, and 
instead of seeking a permanent home, seem, like the red 
man of the forests, to be melting away. 



SECTION XLII. 

CRIME AND CASUALTIES. 

It may be that more than one inhabitant of Stockbridge 
has earned a capital condemnation from the government, 
but only one has ever received it ; and that one had few 
associations in this place. He lived near the town line, 
but we are sorry to say, in Stockbridge. 

One murder has been committed in the town. Many 
years since, two men, supposed to have been the same who 
had broken from the jail at Albany, were traced from Inn 
to Inn in this direction. One of them paid all the bills. 
They had an axe-helve with them. Sometime afterward, 
a man was found dead near the road which leads through 
the mountain pass to West Stockbridge Village, and a 
bloody axe-helve near him. Still later, a man was hung 
in New Haven, who confessed that he had, besides the 
crime for which he was about to suffer, murdered a man 
on Stockbridge Mountain. 

Several suicides have been committed or attempted in 
Stockbridge, or by Stockbridge people. The names it is 
not necessary to give. The cases are these, 1st. A woman 
being deranged, starved herself. 2d. A man of intempe- 
rate habits, while absent from town, committed this crime. 
3d. A man who was deranged cut his throat ; also out of 
town. 4th. An intemperate man, while in a neighboring 
State, cut his throat, and died of the wound after being 
brought home. 5th. A woman was brought here in a 



244 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

gloomy state of mind which increased to derangement, 
and she drowned herself in the Housatonic. 6th. A man 
who was transiently in town for his health, and deranged, 
took laudanum with the intent to destroy life, but was re- 
stored. 7th. A deranged man hung himself, but was 
released. 8th. A vagabond who had been in town four 
days, deliberately put an end to the life of which he had 
become weary. 9 th. A deranged woman hung herself. 
10th. A deranged woman droAvned herself in the cistei'n. 
Few of these, it will be seen, were responsible for the deed ; 
three were not residents of Stockbridge, and the same 
number were absent from town at the time of the act ; two 
also were saved ; leaving four suicides committed by 
Stockbridge people, two from derangement, and two from 
intemperance, besides one suicidal act, which did not re- 
sult m death, and which was caused by derangement. 

Mr. D. Cadwell, who has probably kept the most per- 
fect record of events of any person in town, gives the 
deaths by lightning, 1, a man near Alger's Furnace; 
deaths by freezing, 1, a foreigner who had been drunk a 
week. He called at the gate near West Stockbridge just 
at night in the month of March, while Mr. C. was 
keeper, and obtained some food. The next morning he 
was found dead about half way down the mountain. Name 
McDaniels or McDonald. Deaths by accident, 15 ; 
drowned, 14; also the number of houses and barns burned 
before the first fire at Glendale, 1847, 13. The 2d fire at 
Glendale was m April, 1849. In September, 1851, the 
shop of Mr. Burt was burned ; in February, 1852, the 
mill at Curtisville ; in the autumn of 1852, the barn of 
Mrs. Cooper ; and that of Mr. Turner in December. In 
December, 1853, the woolen factory in Curtisville was 
burnt. 

Two or three casualties deserve to be recorded for the 
remembrance of the merciful deliverance which attended 
each. About 25 years since, a father in the village was 
alarmed by the exclamation that little H. was in the Avell. 
The skirt of his dress had been seen as it passed over the 
curb. The well was very deep, and very difficult of as- 
cent ; but before he had taken time to consider the impos- 
sibility of the act, the father stood by the well with his 
child in his arms. Nor could he then tell how he had 
been enabled to deliver him. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 245 

Not long afterward, a boy in Curtisville walked out on 
the timbers which extended into the water for some pur- 
pose, [the dam] we are told, and stood for a few moments 
looking into the stream. As he turned to go back, a hand 
rose from the water, and grasping it, he drew from the 
stream his little brother, still alive. He had probably fol- 
lowed his elder brothei', though the latter was unconscious 
of his presence. 

In the spring of 1851, a citizen of Stockbridge was 
buried in a Avell in Lee, about 9 or 10 in the morning, and 
continued until 7 in the evening, when he was taken out 
without serious injury. 

— # — 
SECTION XLIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The first public work on record in Stockbridge of any 
note, was the building of the bridge over the Housatonic, 
South of the village, and the erection of the causeway to 
it — 1760. 1764, the road was laid over the hill, entering 
at Cadwell's meadow gate, and passing in order the houses 
of Josiah Jones Jr., Josiah Jones Sen., the Sergeant heirs, 
Major Elijah Williams, Dr. West, Deacon Wilson, Major 
James Gray, John Taylor, Samuel Messenger, and Ezra 
Whittlesey. Major Gray lived in what is now Major 
Dewey's farm house. 1773, the house formerly occupied 
b^ J, Jones Sen., was procured for a AVork House, and J. 
Jones Jr. was chosen overseer of its inmates. 1797, fire- 
hooks were provided. 1798, a gun-house was built. This 
has long been used for a private dwelling, and at times for 
a Confessional. 1800, turnpike to Great Barrington. 
Small Pox admitted in 1785, 1791, and 1803, by vote of 
the town. (First vaccination in 1802.) The first Post 
Ofiice in the coimty was established here in 1792. The 
first stage run through here was, we are informed, run by 
Mr. J. Hicks, about 1812. Tlie first store in the county 
was established by T. Edwards Esq., in the house now 
owned by Major Owen in 1772. The three East elms in 



246 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

front of tlie house Avere transplanted from the grove of 
young elms on the line between this town and Lee, by the 
late Colonel William Edwards, in 1786. The next year, 
some one else set out the fourth. The maples through 
the street were set out near that time, and perhaps the 
same year, at the suggestion of General Silas Pepoon. 

The Housatonic Bank was incorporated in 1825, with a 
capital of $100,000. Cyrus Williams of Stockbindge was 
the President from October 31, 1825, to November 5, 
1838 ; Edward Burrall of Stockbridge from thence to Oc- 
tober 12, 1843; William P. Walker of Lenox from the 
last date until October 1, 1829, since which, Chai'les M. 
Owen has filled the office. The first Cashier was Edward 
Burrall ; May 1, 1836, Benoni C. Wells succeeded, who 
was followed, October 1, 1836, by Junius D. Adams from 
New Marlborough, now in Pittsfield. 

The Grave Yard in Curtisville was opened for burial 
in 1834. Li 1838 the question of a Town Hall came up. 
The vote to build with the Surplus Revenue, passed in 
December; January 14, 1839, the location was decided 
upon, and a committee chosen to make a contract for build- 
ing, the cost not to exceed $1880. 

In 1846, it was voted to enlarge the South Grave Yard, 
and to pay $1000 for the gi'ound, provided the buildings 
upon it, and whatever was not wanted, could be sold for 
S500. Provision was also made to extend the yard a few 
feet south and west, and to set shade trees on the borders. 
S75, besides what could be raised from the sale of the 
Powder House, (which had stood in the N. E. corner) 
and of the grass, was to be spent in openmg carriage 
roads, and in ornamental works. An effort had been made 
some twelve years previous, to ornament the yard, and ^e 
shrubbery along the south side was then set ; and a short 
time previous to the extension of the limits, another sum 
was raised for the same purpose ; both efforts being made 
by the Ladies. The yard is now in the care of a Com- 
mittee, and no person can inclose a lot, or bury a friend 
from abroad, without leave from that body. 

The Rail Road through Stockbridge Avas commenced in 
1849, and opened in November of that year. 

The Telegraph was run througli this place in 1848. — 
The people of Stockbridge declined to establish an office 



OR, RECORDS OP AN OLD MISSION STATION. 247 

liere ; and wisely, it would seem, as the business on the 
route did not sustain the expense, and it was dropped in 
1850. 

When the permanent location of the County buildings 
was still an open question, an effort was made in 1784 to 
have the Supreme Courts held in Stockbridge ; but it fail- 
ed. The town has, however, furnished a good proportion 
of the public men, which is more to her credit than a cen- 
tral location could be. Theodore Sedgwick was Judge of 
the Supreme Judicial Court from 1802 until his death in 
1813. 

Ejdiraim "Williams and Timothy Woodbridge, it is said, 
wei'e Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Hamp- 
shire County previous to 1761, and Timothy Woodbridge 
for Berkshire, until 1774. Jahleel Woodbridge from 1781 
to 1795 ; John Bacon from 1789 to 1811. Judge J. Wood- 
bridge is supposed to have presided from 1787 until 1795 ; 
and Judge Bacon from 1807 until 1811, Avhen the Court 
was abolished, presided by especial appointment. Judge 
Bacon was also Chief Justice in 1809. 

Clerks of the Court from Stockbridge. Henry F. 
Dwight for 1781 to 1803 ; Joseph Woodbridge, from 1803 
to 1821 ; and Chai'les Sedgwick, who removed to Lenox 
on that account, from 1821 to the present time. 

County Attorneys from Stockbridge. Theodore Sedg- 
wick, previous to 1802, but for how long a time we do not 
lind. John Hunt, from 1811 to 1814. 

County Treasurers. Henry W. Dwight from Septem- 
ber 14, 1784; Moses Ashley from February 5, 1788, and 
Barnabas Bidwell from September 1701 to August 1810, 
each taking the place of the preceding. 

Judges of Probate. Timothy Edwai'ds from 1778 to 
1787, and Jahleel Woodbridge from that time until 1795. 

Registers of Probate. Edward Edwards from 1785 to 
1795 ; and George "WTiitney from December 1823 to 1825. 

The State Senators elected from Stockbridge by the 
County, have been Jahleel Woodbridge, 1780 and 1784, 
including the intervening years. John Bacon in 1781 and 
1782, 1794, 5, 6, 8, and 1805 and 6. Theodore Sedgwick 
in 1784 and 5; and Barnabas Bidwell in 1801 and 2. — 
Gen. William Williams 1840-1, and Col. J. Z. Goodrich in 
1848. 



248 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PEESENT ; 

Members of the Governor's Council. Timothy Wood- 
bridge is said to have declined an appointment from the 
King prior to the Revolution. Timothy Edwards held the 
office from 1775 to 1780. Major C. M. Owen in 1850.— 
He was on the Council Committee to whom the petition to 
pardon Professor Webster was referred. 

Representatives to Congress chosen by the Legislature. 
Timothy Edwards, in 1779, declined the appointment, and 
Theodore Sedgwick served in that capacity in 1785 and 6. 

Members of Congress chosen by the people. Theodoi'e 
Sedgwick, from 1789 to 1797, and from 1799 to 1801 ; 
John Bacon, from 1801 to 1803 ; Barnabas Bidwell, from 
1803 to 1806 ; Henry W. Dwight from 1821 to 1829.— 
In 1851, Col. J. Z. Goodi'ich was elected. 

— #. — 

SECTION XLIV. 

VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS, NATIVE AND FOREIGN. 

The farms in Stockbridge are often spoken of as re- 
markably good, and easy of culture. Formerly, fine crops 
of wheat were raised ; but for several years past, farmers 
have turned their attention to other crops, and depended 
upon the more westerly States for their flour. The timber 
is also valuable, and of wild fruits Ave have the varieties of 
nuts, red plums, raspberries, whortleberries, blackberries, 
strawberries, &c. Occasionally the " Avhite blackberry " 
has been found. The black currant and goose-berry are 
common, and the white currants which are now cultivated, 
sprung from a bush found by Captain Jones growing wild 
upon his farm. The pigeon grape, generally called the 
frost grape is abundant, and the true frost grape has been 
found. Li cultivated fruit, Stockbridge is often said by 
strangers to excel. 

The " Stockbridge Damask Rose," as many strangers 
have been pleased to denominate it, has few equals. Until 
near the close of the last century, it was known only in 
the gardens of Dr. West and the Joneses, from which we 
infer that its was brought from Weston. The red rose 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION- 249 

grows, spontaneously to appearance, where was once the 
garden of Mr. Jones, sen., and was probably an early set- 
tler. The cinnamon rose is believed to have been brought 
from Farmington, Conn., by Miss Mex'cy Scott. The 
white rose was brought fi'om Ellington, Conn. At the 
present day, the rapidity of transportation is leading to a 
great increase in the varieties of roses and other shi'ubs. 

An Agricultural Society was formed here in 1824, and 
extended to other towns in 1826, in which form it existed 
for some years. The Society formed at Barrington in 
1840, now occupies the sphere which this filled. At one 
of the early exhibitions, a juvenile Floral Procession ad- 
ded much to the interest. 

A " Shrubbery Society " was formed about the same 
time ; but the ill-success of the first purchase caused its 
dissolution. 

The Horticultural Society for the County was formed 
in Lenox, June 5, 1847. The Fair held in the autumn of 
1851 was very gratifying, and that in 1852 not less so. 
Much of the delicious fruit upon the loaded tables was 
from Stockbridge. At the Fair here in 1850, a vote was 
passed, to depend more in future upon the ladies for the 
interest of the occasion. This referred to the decorations 
of the room. Yet it has never been our lot to entertain 
the Society until the frosts of autumn had swept over our 
gardens, leaving death and desolation behind them. We 
hope that our turn may come ere long to be on the sunny 
side of their appointments. " The North Stockbridge 
Club," has been in operation about three years. 

— # — 

SECTION XL V. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

No one, in passing through Stockbridge, would be 
reminded of the AUiambra, or of " The City of Palaces ; " 
but " Eden ! " has, under such circumstances, dropped from 
the lips, and comparisons are sometimes drawn which 
exempt Stockbridge people from the charge of exaggera- 



250 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PIIESENT ; 

tion when they grow warm in the praise of home. The 
view, as one enters from the west, or the south, is very 
beautifuL Monument Mountain is an admirable point of 
observation ; and from a little elevation in the south part 
of the town, called Rose Hill, a zone of beauty encircles 
the observer, not often surpassed. The drives about the 
town all possess circumstances of interest peculiarly their 
own. Curtisville, East Street, and Glen Dale, have each 
points of observation worth visiting ; particularly the last, 
where a cone-shaped hill seems piled up on purpose to 
afford an extensive prospect. But, it is generally agreed, 
that the view from "the Hill," which rises north of the 
village, is the most pei'fect. This elevation possesses the 
most extensive table land of any in the vicinity. The 
road passes for a long distance upon its brow, and the 
view is not only beautiful and extended, but constantly 
changing. The best view of the village is obtained as 
soon as the summit is gained ; but from a point near the 
house of Mr. Hull, not only a part of " the Village," pre- 
eminently, but Curtisville, Larawaugh, Glen Dale, and 
Goodrich Street, may be distinctly seen. Yet no one has 
seen all of Stockbridge, until he has taken the bird's-eye 
view to be obtained from the top of the house formerly 
owned by Dr. West. An old African woman, who used 
occasionally to work at Di'. West's, would go, when her 
work was done, and sit upon the stairs leading from the 
upper garret to the roof, " because it was so near to 
heaven." But if near to heaven is synonymous with 
away from earth, it is one of the last places which we 
should think of selecting for such a reason ; for one seems 
there in the very center of created beauty. It is not self- 
praise for us to talk thus of our o^vn valley. It came 
from the hand of its Creator, fashioned for a canvas ; and 
since the hand of art has been employed in painting its 
surface. His skill has guided every woodman and every 
builder, that all should be arranged in symmetry, where 
symmetry was to be desired, and beautiful disoi'der, where 
confusion would add a charm. It is not our palaces, our 
parks, our temples, or our artistic lakes and glens ; we 
have none of these ; but it is that He, Avho is " excellent in 
counsel and wonderful in working," has vouchsafed to 
paint a picture here which is ever redolent of praise. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 251 

And may it be, that not from earth alone shall rise that 
savor, which mind — elevated, sanctified mind, — should 
ever give. 

The Housatonic River winds among the meadows as its 
name denotes. Its earlier name, as Mr. De Forest gives 
it from the Stratford records, was Paugussett. It enters 
the town from Lee, and passes around the western end 
of Monument Mountain into Barrington. It rises in 
Windsor on the east, and Lanesborough Pond on the 
north ; these two streams unite at Pittsfield. In Stock- 
bridge it is five or six rods wide, and averages between two 
and three feet deep. Its curves ai-e often beautiful, par- 
ticularly one called the " Ox Bow." 

Seepoosah, or Sepoese, as it should probably be spelled, 
meaning a little rivulet, rises in Tyringham and Great 
Barrington, and empties into the Housatonic. It has been 
known as Konk's Brook. 

Another brook flows from a pond in the north part of the 
town, but is not known by any particular name. The pond 
from which it flows is one mile long and half a mile in 
breadth. It has been called by several names ; the most 
beautiful, we think, is " Mountain Mirror." It is appi'opri- 
ate, too. The name, as obtained by Esquire F. from an In- 
dian who visited Stockbridge some years ago, Avas " Mah- 
kee-nac — Great Water." But we have the testimony of 
Mr. Slingei'land that Mah-kee-nac is only an adjective, 
meaning great ; and by referring to the Section upon Lan- 
guage, the reader will see that the word water cannot, as 
Mr. Slingerland i-emarks, be added ; for the adjective must 
be turned into a neuter verb. 

Mohawk Pond is a smaller sheet of water wliich lies in 
an opening in the Stockbridge Mountain to the south. 

Stockbridge seems cradled in mountains. On the south 
are the bold peaks, and the more western part of Monu- 
ment Mountain, so named by the English from the cone 
shaped pile of stones upon its southern slope, but by the 
Indians called Maus-wos-see khi, or Fisher's Nest. On 
the west is Stockbridge Mountain, and on the north, the 
Rattle Snake of the English, called by the Indians Deow- 
kook, or Hill of the Wolves. Tliis mountain is two miles 
in length, and is entirely within the limits of the town, 
though quite on its northex'n border. It contains a cave 



252 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ', 

of some intei'est, althougli mucli of its surface is easily til- 
led. In the south-east, Bear-town Mountain extends a con- 
siderable distance ; but to the east the land stretches off 
for several miles, as if to let in the morning ; and between 
Bear-town and a low range beyond, another valley opens 
to the east. The ground is undulating, and the villages of 
Lee, lying in the lower parts of that first named, are over- 
looked, so that the eye rests upon the high mountain range 
in the eastei*n part of the County, whose patches of wood 
and of cultivation form an agreeable alternation. Within 
this cradle, the village occupies a position southeast from 
central. West of this is Glen Dale ; East street runs to 
the north, and is in the north-east part of the town ; and 
Curtisville lies in the north-west part, between Stockbridge 
Mountain and the Mountain Mirror. This and Glen 
Dale are manufacturmg villages. Stockbridge Iron . 
Works, at the west end of Monument, has also a surround- 
ing population. 

Within the town are various hills which possess more 
or less of beauty. Among these is the one South of the 
Academy, upon which Arnold was burned in efSgy, called 
Laurel Hill, which in the Indian tongue would be Aum- 
hoo-ne-moo-seek Woo-chook. It stands almost in the 
heart of the village, and in the season of bloom is a most 
beautiful object. Esquire Fields' description is most 
graphic : — 

" Or wanders 'mid yon laurel bowers, 

Whose blushing beauty clothes the hill, 
As though a very snow of flowers 

Had fallen from heaven, and lay there still.'' 

Ice Glen is a cleft in the rocks which form the summit 
of what is called Little Mountain, a spur from the West- 
ern end of Bear-town. It was perhaps never entered 
until within the present century, and was first passed 
through by torch-light, we suppose, during the summer of 
1841. That season Mr. Parker took his scholars through ; 
but as their lights went out, it was rather a dangerous, 
than a pleasant ramble. Since that time however, the feat 
has become quite a common diversion. During the sum- 
mer of 1850, the lamented Miss Mary M. Chase was one 
of a party who performed it ; and having her kind permis- 
sion to transfer to our pages her sketch of the scene, pub- 



OR, ilECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 253 

lishecl soon after in Holden's Magazine, and pronounced 
hj her companions to be strictly truthful, (however the 
reality might baffle the descriptive powers of others,) we 
give it entire, and make no attempt of our own, except to 
say, that the rift is about one-fourth of a mile in leiigth. 

ICE GLEN. 

''^'' Away to the Ice Glen! the dews are fast falling, 
From the dim, misty tree-tops the night-birds are calling, 
From the measureless heavens tne starlight is gleaming, 
•Look on through the trees where the torches are beaming * 
The shadows are beckoning, we must Hot delay, — 
Don the shoon, seize the staif, to the Ice Glen awayl 

" Well met, free companions ! a bold band are we ! 

Let the faggots be kindled, each other to see ! 

Ho ! ho ! what a picture ! the turban and shawl, 

The bandit's red sash, hat painted and tall. 

The gay scarlet cap, the roses, and plume. 

How strangely they mingle, and shine through the gloom ! 

»' Va ! allons 1 move on ! prenez garde 1 now we go 1 

The motley procession sets out with the glow 

Of the torches, wide pouring along the rough track, 

And kindling wild gleams on the rocks huge and black ; 

The slumbering echoes are wakened again, 

As laughter and shouts ring afar through the Glen. 

" On ! On ! o'er our heads the fearless trunks tower, 
Watching grimly the tumult that startles the hour. 
Around lie the Titan rocks, gloomy and vast, 
Fettered firm to the earth where in wrath they were cast. 
Stoop ! clamber ! light foot, strong hand, here we need, 
Eagle eye, steady nerve, all these dangers to heed. 

'' Beware how you pass by yon terrible steep, 

Or in its dark bosom forever you'll sleep ! 

Hold ! back ! here's a charm that cannot be crossed ! 

Now a leap ! not a slip ! or your foothold is lost ! 

Look before you, far dovi-n, what a perilous way ! 

Yet there does our path lie, we cannot delay. 

^' Ho ! trusty companions ! come tell us what cheer, — 
Our torches are dying, we must not pause here, — 
Give us light, give us aid ! here's a horrible rift, 
And the strong must the weak o'er its fearfulness lift ! 
12 



254 STOCKBEIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

List how the scared echoes reply to our call, 
TiJl the very rocks vibrate, and theaten to fall ! 

" Lo ! our way is closed up with a barrier high, 

That seems, in the darkness, to blend with the sky. 

What ! creep we beneath it ? That crevice may be 

The path to some horror we shrink but to see ! 

No turning ! on ! on ! by the torches' red flame, 

Through the cavern's dark mouth we must clamber the same. 

" Again we may breathe, then onward we go 

In our perilous path, but our progress is slow. 

Awhile we may pause, and gaze down through the Glen, 

Where the flaring lights gleam o'er the people, and then 

Once more to the journey. At last we emerge 

From the beautiful horror — we stand on the verge 

" Of the Glen's farthest entrance; before us the night 
Lies quiet and holy — how changed is the sight, 
And the spirit how changed ; no longer the toil 
Gives zest to the journey ; — the coveted spoil 
Of mosses and fern-leaves that gloriously shone 
In the torchlight, seem faded — that radiance gone. 

" How like to life's pathway, the Glen of the Soul ; 
With footsteps untried yet, we start for the goal. 
By perilous chasms our pathway must lead ; 
We make bright our torches, we journey with speed ; 
Happy we, if we break not on treacherous rock. 
And our light goes not out with the dangerous shock. 

li We gather gay trophies that win us to stay, 
Though a mandate still urges, that we must obey; 
A strong hand upholds us, when else we would fall, 
With jesting and laughter we travel through all : 
At last the wild passage is ended, and then 
In silence we stand at the mouth of the Glen, 

"Behind us our comrades in companies throng — 
We hear, though but faintly, their murmurs and song ; 
Above us the pale stars of heaven we see ; 
From our hands drop the treasures we gathered in glee; 
And on through the darkness, mysterious, forlorn, — 
We travel alone to Eternity's dawn.' 

June 1st, 1850, Stockbridge contained 1940 inhabitantji, 
363 families, 384 dwellings, 102 farms, and 7 manufiicto- 
ries. 



OK, KECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 255 



SECTION XLVI. 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

LITERARY, CIVIL, MILITARY, INGENIOUS, &c., &c. 
BRIG. GEN. JOSEPH DWIGHT. 

General D wight was born in Dedham, in 1703, and 
admitted to tlie bar as an inhabitant of Brookfield in 1733. 
But he soon engaged in a military career, in which he 
gathered brilliant laurels. Particularly, he was distin- 
guished as commander of the Massachusetts Ai'tillery at 
the capture of Louisbui"g in 1745, when he carried the 
ordnance and military stores across the extensive and 
miry morass west of the town ; and also m the subsequent 
attack upon the walls. 

About the year 1750 or '51, he married Mrs. John Ser- 
geant of Stockbridge, and settled here as Trustee of the 
Indian Schools, bringing Avith him Lawrence Lynch, a 
young man from Ireland who had been with him at Cape 
Breton. He resided in the dwelling erected by Mr. Ser- 
geant on the Hill. In 1756, he was sent at the head of a 
brigade to Lake Champlain, and soon after his return, 
purchased a place in Great Barriugton, and removed his 
family thither. "When Berkshire County was formed, in 
1761, he was chosen Judge of both Courts, and held those 
offices imtil his death, Avhich occurred at Barrington, June 
9, 1765, at the age of 62. He had, previous to becoming 
a citizen of Stockbridge, viz. in 1739, been apjwinted 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Worcester 
County. Judge Dwight was a graduate of Harvard 
in 1722. 

COL. THOMAS WILLIAMS, 

The eldest son of Dr. Thomas Williams of Deerfield, 
own brother of the founder of Williams College, was 
born May 5, 1746. He studied law with Colonel Hop- 
kins of Great Barrington, and commenced practice in 
Stockbridge with a fair prospect of suecess. But at the 



256 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

opening of the Revolutionary War, lie marched to Cam- 
bridge at the head of a party of minute men, and Avas one 
who volunteered to follow Arnold up the Kennebec, being 
of the division under Colonel Enos. But on reaching the 
mouth of Dead River, that division was compelled to 
retui'n because of the absolute impossibility of obtaining 
provisions. The next year, 1776, being made Lieutenant 
Colonel, he was ordered to Canada by another route, and 
died on his way, at Skenesborough, now Whitehall, July 
10, at the age of 30. 

The residence of Colonel Williams in Stockbridge was 
the house erected by Colonel Elijah Williams on the Hill, 
and his law office was a wing of the same building. The 
building stood a few rods east of the old Fort — the house 
built by Colonel Ephraim Williams. Very few traces of 
it now remain. His wife was Miss Thankful Ashley, and 
his children, Ephraim Williams, now living in Lee, 
Colonel Thomas Williams, who died at the South, and 
Esquire William Williams of New Hartford. 

The widow of Colonel Williams married Brigadier 
General Ashley in 1781. He had been here as a delegate 
from Washington to the County Congress in July, 1774, 
and had afterwards ensasred in the war. At what time he 
became an inhabitant of Stockbridge is not known ; but 
he was married here, took up his residence, when at home, 
in the house of his wife, and appears to have remained 
generally in the army, as an officer, until the close of the 
war. He was drowned at South Lee. 

EPHRAIM WILLIAMS, ESQ. 

Esquire Williams would scarcely be recognized by his 
real name in Stockbridge, having taken to himsell' the 
more familiar name of " Uncle Bob," by which he is uni- 
versally called to the present day. He was the oldest son 
of the second wife of Dr. T. Williams of Deerfield, and 
in that way grandson of Rev. W. Williams of Weston, 
pastor of that church at the time Colonel Williams and 
Mr. Jones removed to Stockbridge, though through his 
father, he was cousin to him. 

Eplu'aim Williams was born November 19th, 1760, and 
studied law with Judge Sedgwick, with whom he after- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 257 

wards entered into partnership. Having several times 
represented this town in the State Legislature, and accu- 
midated an independent fortune, he retired from practice 
about the year 1803, and returned to Deerfield. This 
course, it is said, was in consequence of a charge of incor- 
rectness from the Presiding Judge, and an order to " sit 
down." " I will not sit down," was his reply, " but I will 
leave the bar, and never enter it again." " He was often 
urged," says Rev. H. Colman, " to return ; but he 
remained inflexible." This act is said by one who knew 
him well, to have been perfectly characteristic of the man. 

" Under the law providing for that office," continues Mr. 
Colman, "■ he was the first Reporter of the Decisions of the 
Supreme Court, and published one volume of the Reports : 
had a seat in the Senate Board for Franklin County, and 
was often consulted by the Judges of our Courts." 

He married Miss Emily Trowbridge about the year 
1815, and died at Deerfield, December 27th, 1835, leaving 
one son, who is now assistant Bishop of Connecticut. 

JOHN BACON, ESQ. 

Esquire, or as he is more generally called. Judge Bacon, 
was born in Canterbury, Ct., and graduated at Princeton 
in 1765. After svqiplying two destitute churches in Mary- 
land for a time, he was settled over the Old South Church 
in Boston, September 25th, 1771. In 1775 he was dis- 
missed, and engaged in civil affairs, occasionally, however, 
supplying some vacant pulpit. About the same time he 
came to Stockbi'idge, built the house which formerly stood 
on the ground now occupied by Mr. P. Palmer ; and, 
besides being much engaged in town business, was repre- 
sentative to the Legislature, member and President of the 
State Senate, member of Congress, and associate and 
Presiding Judge of Common Pleas. He died October 
25th, 1820, aged 82. His wives were Gertrude Henry 
and Elizabeth Goldthwait, and his only son is Judge 
Ezekiel Bacon of Utica, N. Y. 

HON. THEODORE DWIGHT ESQ. 

Esquire Dwight was the grand-son of President Ed- 
wards, and the brother of President Dwight. He was 



258 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT; 

born in Northampton in 1762, and after his graduation 
came to Stockbridge, where he resided a " long time," for 
some months during the period, teaching the select school 
on the hill. He was afterwards one of the first lawyers 
in Haddam, Ct., became active, and distinguished in pub- 
lic affairs, and noted as a writer. During the administra- 
tion of Jackson, he was engaged with his son in editing 
and publishing the "New York Daily," and to them were 
committed the letters of his friend Charles A. Davis, pub- 
lished over the signature of "Jack Downing." From this 
circumstance, and from the knoAvn genius of Esquire 
Dwight, he was supposed to be the author of the letters ; 
though his son has so pi'omptly and honorably disclaimed 
it, that no charge of fame-seeking can rest upon his char- 
acter. 

Esquire Dwight married Miss Abby Alsop of IVIiddle- 
town, and died in New York at the house of his son in 
1846. An outlme of his life and writings was published 
by the New York Historical Society soon after his death, 
and a farther notice of him, particularly as a New York 
editor, has since been prepared by Dr. Francis under the 
auspices of the same institution. 

THEODORE SEDGWICK ESQ. 

Was born at Hartford, "West District, May, 1746. He 
graduated at Yale, and commenced the practice of law in 
Great Barrington in 1776. The same year he went to 
Canada as aid to General Thomas. He afterwards remov- 
ed to Sheffield, from which place he was sent as represent- 
ative to the General Court ; and it was perhaps while liv- 
ing there that he so successfully advocated the cause of 
freedom, though it appears not. In 1785 he came to 
Stockbridge ; in 1787 met the band of insurgents in the 
Shays Rebellion at West Stockbridge, and instantly de- 
feated them. In 1788 he was a leading advocate for the 
adoption of the Constitution in the State Convention, and 
also a member of the Legislature, and Speaker of the 
House of Representatives ; and from that time xmtil his 
death at Boston, January 24, 1813, at the age of 66, he 
was, with little interruption, Representative, Senator, or 
Judge. He has, under the present excitement, been ac- 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 259 

cused of procuring the old fugitive slave law. Certain it 
is that he was often said to " govern Congress," and doubt- 
less liis influence in that case was very great. But his 
jirineiples and practice upon the question of slavery are 
so well known, that such assertions only prove that the 
perpetuity of the institution was not the design of those 
who framed our Constitution. In 1810, his opinion was 
very clearly given on the case of Greenwood and Curtis. 
He argued that "the law of nature should be the law of 
the land ; that one man could not have a legitimate prop- 
erty in the person of another man ; and that therefore a 
contract made at Rio Pangos, on the coast of Africa, for a 
cargo of slaves, was malum in se, and void as against the 
law of God. Accordingly no action upon such a contract 
could be sustained at common law in Massachusetts." If 
the tratlic be illegal, he averred that no rights can be ac- 
quired by it, and consequently, none transferred. 

The first wife of Judge Sedgwick was Elizabeth Mason ; 
his second, Pamela D wight, daughter of Brigadier Gene- 
ral Dwight, and grand-daughter of Colonel Ephraira Wil- 
liams, and the third, Penelope Russell of Boston. His 
children, all children of the second wife, are well known ; 
particularly Tlieodore as a lawyer and author, Henry and 
Robert as lawyers, Charles as lawyer and clerk of the 
Berkshire Court, and Miss C. M. Sedgwick as an author. 
Among the students of Judge Sedgwick are remembered : 
Ephraim "Williams, of Stockbridge ; Henry Hopkins, who 
died young ; Ashbel Strong, of Pittsfield ; Judge Howe, 

of Northampton ; George Herbert, of ; "William 

Hunt, who died young, and Daniel Dewey, of Williams- 
town. 

There were many others who studied with Judge Sedg- 
wick, and among them his own sons, Theodore, Hany, 
Robert and Charles ; but no other names of strangers can 
now be obtained, all the older members of the family be- 
ing dead. 

Judge Sedgwick was descended from Robert Sedgwick, an 
early settler, and distinguished military officer of Cam- 
bridge. His father was Benjamin Sedgwick, who, on 
leaving mercantile business, settled in Cornwall, and there 
left his widow and six children, of whom Theodore was 
the youngest. 



260 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT ; 

KENRY W. DWIGHT ESQ. 

Esquire Dwight was horn at Great Barrington, Sep- 
tember 15, 1757, very soon after tlie removal of his father^ 
Brigadier Dwight, to that place. At a very early age he- 
embarked in the Revolutionary struggle, and continued in 
the service until our independence was achieved. Ho- 
then received the appointment of County Clerk, which 
office he held mitil ill health induced him to abandon it,, 
near the close of his life. He came to Stockbridge soon- 
after the close of the war, and married Miss Abigail 
Wells, a teacher here. His children were Hon. Henry 
W. Dwight, Rev. Edwin Dwight, and Rev. Louis Dwight^ 
Esquire Dwight died September 15, 1804, and was buried, 
at the same time with his amit, the first wife of Dr. West^ 
The funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Hyde of Lee. 

REV. SAMUEL KIRKLAND, 

For more than forty years Missionaiy to the Oneida 
Indians, was the son of Rev. Daniel Kirkland of Norwich,, 
and Avas born about 1744; educated at the Lebanon school 
and at Princeton, where he graduated in 1765, and was 
ordained as a missionary, at Lebanon, June 19, 1766. In 
school he had learned the Mohawk, and he had spent a 
year and a half with the Senecas for the puqjose of ac- 
quiring their tongue. He maiTied Miss Jerusha Bing- 
ham, a teacher, and in 1769, took her to Oneida Castle. 
In the spring of that year, he went to the house of his 
friend General Herkimer, at German Flats, and there his 
eldest children, John, (President Kirkland,) and George, 
mentioned in the story of Shays' Rebellion, were born, Aug. 
17, 1770. About 1772 he removed to Connecticut, but 
soon came to Stockbridge, and took up his residence in 
the house built by Mr. Sergx^ant in the village, — ^now Mr. 
Carter's.* From there he removed to what is known as 
the Kirkland Place, west of the village, an Indian house 
of two rooms, and purchased the Indian meeting house, 
Avhich he moved, and changed into a bam. On this place 
Mrs. Kirkland died, together with an infant, January 23,, 



* Mr. Asa Bement occupied this house after President Ed- 
wajds, but left it on account of the Fever and Ague. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 261 

1788. The cliildren not mentioned, were probably born 
in the village. Two other children were buried here. 
From Stockbridge, IMr. Kirkland removed to Paris, or 
Clinton, N. Y., several years after the death of his wife. 
His second wife was also a teacher, Miss Mary Donelly of 
this town. He died March 28, 1808, aged 06. 

Mr Kirkland's practice was to spend six months with 
the Indians, and then six months Avith his family. This 
occasioned many journeys, which in the unbroken state of 
the country, were very tedious. He had also trials Avitli the 
Pagan Indians. January 1, 1789, in particular, the Chris- 
tian Indians having refused to join the revelry, and their 
dance being thus broken up for want of dancers, a plot 
was laid to murder Mr. Kirkland. But the design was 
discovered, and the affair being taken up by the Chief, the 
conspirators came and asked forgiveness. The Christians, 
on the other hand, Avere strongly attached to Mr. Kirkland 
and his family. Old Scenondou, a Chief who lived to a 
great age, 106 or 110, came often to Clinton, when indis- 
posed, in the hope of dying there, and being buried beside 
his pastor that he might rise with him. His wish was 
gratified in so far that the dust of both sleeps in the mis- 
sionary's garden. Scenondou was buried with honors. 
President Backus delivered the sermon, and Judge Dean 
interpreted, — March 13, 1810. Mr. Kirkland translated 
the Gospel of Mark, and some Psalms which he had se- 
lected. Plis efforts in the cause of temperance were bless- 
ed. At one time no Indian was seen intoxicated in the 
village for many months. " Good Peter," catechist and 
teacher, and the most eloquent man among the Six Na- 
tions, was his assistant. Under these circumstances. Mi*. 
Kirkland was cheerful, and even joyous. He Avas often 
heard singing hymns before he rose in the morning. 

One anecdote hitherto preserved of Mr. Kirkland, being 
an illustration of Revolutionary life, should not be lost. — 
The action of the County Congress upon the subject of 
British manufactui'es and importations, has been mention- 
ed. In Stockbridge, Avhere that Congress met, a dissent 
was considered peculiarly unpatriotic. No stories are ex- 
tant of Stockbridge ladies drinking tea in the garrets, an 
act pci'petrated in some places, and a cup of the exhilai'at- 
ing decoction was scarcely allowed to the sick. But Dr. 
*12 



262 STOCKBRIDGE, PAST AND PKESENT ; 

West received one day an invitation to take tea with Mr. 
Kirkland. Supposing it to be an invitation to Sage Tea, 
he accepted, and was not undeceived until the genuine per- 
fume, which met him as he took his seat at the table, re- 
vealed the truth. The missionary was to commence one 
of his fatiguing journeys on the morrow, and felt the ne- 
cessity of a stimulant, which he had generously resolved 
to share with his clerical friend. But their pleasure was 
short-lived ; for no sooner had grace been said, than a rap 
was heard at the door ! Trembling for their reputation, 
for the influence of their example, and perhaps for their 
safety too, Mr. K. sprang to hide the Urn ; but the handle 
of the other urn caught in the loose sleeve of his gown, 
and the tea was " poured out," not into the cups, but en- 
tirely into his lap. His knit " small clothes " and tight 
stockings were but slight protection, and he danced in quick 
step for pain. The " knocker " proved to be no adept in 
the discernment of ethereal bodies, and the ministers were 
not detected ; but the mission to the Indians was delayed 
for weeks, for the missionary's limbs to heal, and then, it is 
believed, commenced without even the innocent stimulant 
of a cup of tea. • 

REV. SAMUEL WHELPLEY. 

Mr. Whelpley was born in Stockbridge about 17 G6, and 
was the son of Deacon Whelpley, who resided in the east 
part of the town. The family were Baptists ; and Sam- 
uel retained his connection with that church for several 
years after he entered the ministry. His first field of 
labor was West Stockbridge, from which place he removed 
to Morristown, N. J., where he became a Presbyterian. 
From Morristown he went to Newark, and thence to New 
York, where he died, July 15th, 1817, aged 51. His dis- 
position to employ his pen was early shown, and Mrs. 
West always preserved a manuscript romance which he 
gave her while the student of her husband. He never 
received a public education ; but his " Compend of Ancient 
and Modern History," and his " Triangle," so highly and 
so justly celebrated, show an original, talented, and culti- 
vated mind. He also published " Letters on Capital Pun- 
ishment and War." 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 263 

TIMOTHY EDWARDS, ESQ. 

Esquire Edwards was born in Northampton, July 25tli, 
1738, and graduated at Princeton in 1757, the year previ- 
ous to his father's death. September 25th, 17 GO, he mar- 
ried Miss Elioda Ogden, and settled in Elizabethtown as a 
merchant. In June, 1771, he came to Stockbridge, and 
established the first store in the County. The county Avas 
very productive in wheat, which he received in payment 
for goods, and with which he made his purchases in New 
York. In 1772, he j^urchased the ground of an Indian 
woman, hired workmen from Hatfield, and erected the 
house now owned by Major Owen. It was one and a half 
stories high, except the wing, which was of one story. 
All the east part was used as a stoi'e. In 1775 Esquire 
Edwards became a member of the State Council, and con- 
tinued in that ofiice until 1780, — through the difiiculties of 
our National emancipation. From 1778 to 1787, he was 
Judge of Probate ; in 1779, declined the nomination of 
member of Congress ; for many years sustained the office 
of church deacon. During the war he was often chosen 
on committees at home, and was employed by General 
"Washington to supply the soldiers at West Point. He 
died in the house now occupied by Colonel Goodi'ich, his 
residence dui'ing the later years of his life, October 27th, 
1813, at the age of 75. Mrs. Edwards died in Litchfield, 
November 22cl, 1822, and was brought here for interment. 
Her age was 80. 

MRS. ABIGAIL DWIGHT. 

It is often said that the Church has no heart, though it 
is very common for professors to wait for a revival in the 
heart of the Church before they Avake their own spirits to 
action. But tlie church is built up " a holy house," a liv- 
ing temple, and its various altars are composed of individ- 
ual hearts, in all of which there is the element of heat, but 
not always flame. It will not answer, however, for the 
fire to become extinct, lest he who dwelt in the Shekinah 
break forth and raze it to the ground. So he ever keeps 
a living, ascending flame in some bosoms ; and one of 
these favored ones, may we not say, was Mrs. Dwight. 



.264 STOGKBRIDGE, PAST AND PRESENT? •' 

She was sometimes tbouglit too charitable, but her's was 
the chai'ity of a large heart, and not of a loose faith. She 
never believed that the unsaved in life were saved at 
death ; but she always hoped for the best while life lasted ; 
and where there was no evidence of piety, she yet trusted 
to electing grace, and overleaping the months or years 
which might intervene, embraced the wanderer now, in 
the anticipation of domg so in God's good time. ]\Irs. 
Dwight was born in West Hartford, came here to assist 
Miss Pynchon in teaching, married H. W. Dwight, Esq., 
and died May 31, 1840, aged 77. 

Rev. Edwin Dwight, her son, for several years pastor 
of the church in Richmond, died a resident of Stockbridge^ 
Feb. 25, 1841, and his wife October 11, 1838, both much 
beloved here, and by their foi'mer parishioners. Mr. 
Dwight's age was 51, and that of Mrs. Dwight, 37. 

ABEL BUELL 

Was born in Killingworth, Ct. He learned the trade 
of vSilver-Smith of Mr. Chittendon of that town, and was 
mari'ied at the age of 19. The next year he was suspect- 
ed of altermg five shilling colony notes to five pounds, 
though the work was so perfectly executed, that great sa- 
gacity was njecessary in detected them. When the coun- 
terfeit was fully known, and the suspicion rested upon 
him, a ladder was placed against his house, and he was 
detected in the act. The arrest being made, Mathew Gris- 
wold acted as King's Attorney. The youth and previous 
good conduct of Buell, won the compassion of Griswold, 
and all possible favor was shown him. His sentence was 
branding ; (the brand being held on until he could say 
" God save the King.") — cropping and imprisonment. But 
the brand, denoting the nature of his crime, was made as 
high on his forehead as the hair would permit, and no 
more than the tips of his ears were taken olF. These 
were kept warm upon his tongue, until they could be re- 
placed, and adhered firmly. At first he was removed for 
imprisonment ; but after a time, at the request of his 
friends, be was permitted to be confined in Killingworth. 
About the time of his removal, he constructed the first 
lapidary machine ever made in the country, and with this 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 265 

he perfected a beautiful ring, Avhicli he presented to Mr. 
Griswold, the Attorney, afterwards Governor Griswold, 
and Mr. Griswold jirocured his pardon. 

The next unusual event of his life, was his employment 
by Bernard Romans, to survey the southern coast of North 
America, Mr. R. being engaged in the publication of a 
new map of this part of the continent. While at Pensa- 
cola, engaged in this work, an individual came to him, and 
under pretence of mere curiosity, though it was afterwards 
believed, emjiloyed by the Governor, asked if he could 
break the King's Seal, and again unite it so as entirely to 
conceal the fracture. Buell innocently did it, and was in 
consequence arrested, and detained as prisoner on an is- 
land, probably Santa Rosa, though not in close custody. — 
His genius again saved him. He built a small boat, in 
which he put to sea, taking with him a little boy who wish- 
ed to leave the island. After three day's exposure in this 
frail bark upon the broad ocean, he reached one of our 
southern ports, and from thence returned to Killingworth. 
The map was engi-aved by him, believed to have been the 
first done in this country. 

At the opening of the Revolution, a difficulty arose in 
procuring types. None but French types could be obtain- 
ed. Buell constructed a type foundxy, and made a large 
quantity during the war. He lived at that time in New 
Haven, and worked in the Sandemonian church. When 
the war was over, he was engaged by the State to coin 
coppers ; and, having made his own implements, he brought 
the art to such perfection, that he could produce one hun- 
dred and twenty coppers a minute. He next went to Eng- 
land, ostensibly to obtain a new supply of metal, but real- 
ly to obtain information in the manufacture of cloths. — 
While there, he one day, in travelling, came upon a com- 
pany of men who were constructing an iron bridge, and 
who, for want of mechanical skill, had so shaped their ma- 
terials that they saw no way of bringing them together. 
Mr. Buell's ingenuity suggested a plan, and the whole was 
soon fitted, for which he received one hundred guineas. 

But here another feature in liis character must be ex- 
posed, else the grace of God Avill not be glorified as it 
should. Mr. Buell was an o]ien infidel ; and his evenings 
in London were spent vnth Thomas Paine in ridiculing 



266 STOCKBRIDGE, I'AST AND PRESENT; 

tlie Word of God. In this work, it is sad to say, tliey 
Avere joined by a clergyman ; but he was not a minister of 
the Gospel. He professed to be a Unitarian — probably 
had no creed at all. His name it is not necessary to pub- 
lish. 

When Mr. Buell returned to America, he established a 
cotton factory in New Haven, one of the first founded in 
the country. From New Haven, he removed to Hartford, 
and thence to Stockbridge, where he established himself as 
a goldsmith. 

Soon after the revival of 1813 commenced, he was 
taken, apparently, very ill ; but his physician could dis- 
cover no physical derangement ; and being himself a good 
humored unbeliever, predicted that Mr. Buell would pass 
himself off as a convert, and deceive the pastor. Mi-. 
Swift visited him, and found him tossing in agony, as on a 
bed of embers, yet unwilling to reveal the cause of his 
distress. Ten or twelve days were spent in this state ; his 
flesh wasted aAvay, and he seemed about to di-op into that 
scouted eternity, when He who is rich in mercy stretched 
out the hand for his deliverance. As the pastor entered 
his room, soon after the change took place, he looked up 
from the open volume which lay upon his knees, and 
exclaimed with great animation — " They have been 
altering the Bible ! This is not the same book which 
Tom Paine and I used to ridicule ! they have altered it ; 
they have altered the Bible. This is beautiful ! Oh, how 
beautiful ! All beautiful ! beautiful, beautiful," — and he 
turned its leaves back and forth, his countenance beaming 
with delight. The scales had fallen from his eyes, and he 
saw things spiritual, spiritually. From that time, the 
Loi'd seemed to be his chosen companion. "I am not 
alone," he said, " I have the best of company." His Bible 
was with him, and he realized delightfully the all-pervad- 
ing presence of Deity. 

Mr. Buell united with the church in Stockbridge soon 
after, being upwards of 70 years of age ; and, though sub- 
ject in after life to great privations, he ever sustained the 
character of a christian. He returned to New Haven — it 
is said, in 1825 — where he soon died in the alms-house. 



OR, RECORDS OF AN OLD MISSION STATION. 267 

Besides these, Avhose characters have been sketched, 
many others miglit be added who have adorned the sta- 
tions allotted them by Providence, and gone down to their 
graves in peace ; but a notice of all such would swell this 
volume to an undue size ; and it is better to give too few 
than too many. " Better far," says an old writer, " that 
the question be asked why a monument was not raised, 
than why one luas erected." Taking this venerable coun- 
sel then, we check feelmg, and yield to prudence. 



APPENDIX. 



— #- 



(A.) 

Heckewelder says of the Shawanoes. that they were a 
restless people, delighting- in wars, in which they were con- 
stantly engaged with the surrounding nations. At last their 
neighbors, tired of being harassed by them, formed a league 
for their destruction. The Shawanoes, finding themselves 
thus dangerously situated asked to be permitted to leave the 
country, which request was granted ; and they immediately 
moved to the Ohio, (from the South.) Here their main body 
settled, and then sent messengers to their elder brother, the 
Mohicans, (by which name the Stockbridge Indians are fre- 
quently called, and even by Dr. Edwards,) requesting them 
to intercede for them with their grandfather, the Leni, 
or Lenape, to take them under his protection. This the 
Mohicans willingly did, and even sent a body of their own 
people to conduct iheir younger brother into the country of 
the Delawares. The Shawanoes, finding themselves safe 
under the protection of their grandfather, did not choose to 
proceed to the eastward, but many of them remained on the 
Ohio, some of whom settled as far up as Pittsburgh. Those 
who proceeded farther were accompanied by their Chief, 
Gach-ga-wats-chi-qua, and settled principally at and about 
the Forks of the Delaware, between that and the confluence 
of the Delaware and Schuylkill ; and some on the spot where 
Philadelphia now stands; others were conducted by the Mo- 
hicans into their own country, where they inter-married with 
them, and became one people. (This, if correct, explains 
the name ''Shawanoe Purchase," in Alford.) When those 
settled near the Delaware had multiplied, they returned to 



270 APPENDIX. 

Wyoming, on the Susqnehannah, where they resided for a 
great number of years 

Chapman, in his History of Wyoming, gives another ac- 
count of their removal ; but Heckewelder's recital accords so 
well with the hints given by the Stockbridge Historian, that 
he seems best entitled to credit. 



" Brothers, you sometimes sorry to see the deplorable situ- 
ation of your Indian brethren, for which you have given us 
many good counsels, though we feel ourselves willing to 
follow your counsel, but it has made no effect as yet. Our 
situation is still miserable. Our ancestors were conquered 
immediately after you came over this island by the strong 
Hero, who does still reign among Indian tribes with tyranny ; 
who has robbed us of every thing that was precious on our 
eyes. By the power of our enemy, our eyes have been blind- 
ed, our young men seems become willing slaves to this des- 
potic hero. In looking back we see nothing but desolation of 
our mighty men ; in looking forward, we foresee the desola- 
tion of our tribes. Our Chiefs has used their endeavors to 
reform their respective people ; but having see no success, 
they seem discouraged, and hang down their heads. Before 
you cover your council Fire, we unite our cries for your help. 
Perhaps you are ready to think what man that must be that 
has abused so much our brethren 1 never was such hero or 
tyrairt heard that ever meddled with Indians. But in literal- 
ly, he is your own begotten son, and his name you call Rum. 
And the names of his officers are Brandy, Wine and Gin, 
and we know you have power to control him ; and as we de- 
sire to live in peace, and to become civilized nations, we 
earnestly entreat you to use your power and wisdom to pre- 
vent, &c. Signed by several " Chiefs and Warriors," March, 

1796, and addressed to "the Legislature." There is 

much reason for ascribing this to the New York Indians. 

(C.) 

Dr. Lykins has recently obtained from Pa-teg-we, a Potta- 
w^atomie, residing on the reservation of that Tribe on the 
Kansas river, a similar curiosity, which has been exhibited 
in Washington by Colonel Lea, though not with great pub- 
licity. It was only lent to Dr. Lykins, the Indians being 
\niwilling to part with it upon any consideration whatever — 
" It consists oi four small rolls or strips of parchment, closely 
packed in the small compartments of a little box or locket, 
of about an inch cubical content. On these parchments are 
written in a style of unsurpassed elegance, and far more 



APPENDIX. 271 

beautiful than print, portions of the Penteteuch, to be worn 
as frontlets, and intended as stimulants of the memory and 
moral sense." The Indian from whom it was obtained, had 
it from his aged grandmother, and it had been in the posses- 
sion of this particular family about fifty years. Originally, 
there were two lockets ; but one had been lost in crossing a 
rapid stream at the north. That was supposed by the Indians 
to contain an account of the creation. Hitherto these curios- 
ities had been kept from the whites, and only the influence 
of Dr. Lykins with the Chief, has induced Pategwe to expose 
them to the gaze of a " pale face." He had them many 
years in his possession before he ventured to cut the stitches 
of the cover, and look, himself, upon the holy charm ; and he 
was then advised, by one of the Chiefs, to keep the whole a 
profound secret. A half bi^ed revealed the secret to Dr. 
Lykins. When asked how long they had possessed this am- 
ulet, the Indians reply that they have no knowledge of a time 
when they did not possess it. It has always been kept from 
exposure, '' for a very long period in the medicine bag," and 
its age must certainly be reckoned by centuries. To this 
may be added the testimony of the Delawares, that their an- 
cestors, (divided into ten tribes,) besides the spirit of prophe- 
cy, possessed the Scriptures when they lived upon the other 
side of the water; that then they prospered, but having sold 
this gift of the Great Spirit, they sorely offended him, and, as 
a punishment, were subjected to oppression from their neigh- 
bors. After a time, however, he compassionated their dis- 
tress, and led them across a great river to this country, drying 
up the waters before them. Only nine tribes, they say, con- 
sented to emigrate, and from these nine the Delawares separ- 
ated at a still later period. Traditions were also found among 
different tribes of Indians in early times, of the murder of 
Abel by his brother, of the Deluge, the confusion of Babel, 
and of the practice among their ancestors of the rite of cir- 
cumcision. 

(D.) 

In 17^9, the Shawanoes sent a messenger to Stockbridge 
with wampum, to thank the Housatonic Indians for their 
good advice, and to say that they should never again become 
intoxicated. They had refused to trade in rum ; and when 
it was brought among them by the whites, they had gone one 
century ahead of even our noble sister Maine, breaking the 
casks in pieces, and pouring the liquor upon the ground. — 
Count Zinzindorf also visited these Indians, and the story of 
his rejection, the attempt of the Indians to murder him, and 
the conviction produced upon the minds of the assassins, and 



272 APPENDIX. 

through them upon the minds of the people, by the sight of 
a large rattlesnake passing harmlessly, and unobserved by 
him, across his limbs, as he sat reading in his hut at night, 
has been often told, and is very generally accredited. The 
Prophet and Tecumseh were of this tribe, but received little 
honor among their own kindred. 

(E) 

In this year the Constable's Returns run thus : — " agreea- 
ble to the within warrant, I have warned all the Inglish In- 
habitants in sd. town as within Described, to meet at Time 
and place as within mentioned." 

This is signed by a white, not long a resident. 

" By Virtue of the foregoing .order I have warned all the 
Indian Inhabitants in sd. Town as within described, to Meet 
at Time and place within mentioned.'' — Per me — Joseph 
Quinequaunt, Constable.", 

Though these can not be considered fair samples of the 
comparative erudition of the whites and the Indians in Stock- 
bridge, still, as on looking into the Town Record for one 
years returns to give as specimens, this was the first upon 
which the eye fell, it is fairly given. 

The Stockbridge Indian Bill was advocated in the New 
York Senate in 1849, by Mr. Johnson, upon the ground that 
the State was professedly the guardian of the Indians, and 
yet had made 70 or $80,000 out of them, contrary to the usual 
practice of guardians. This is a hint by which some other 
powers might perhaps profit. 

(G.) 

In 1822, Mr. Quinney procured the passage of a law in the 
New York Legislature, giving to the Stockbridge Indians the 
full value of land still re7naining to them in the State, by which 
alone the Tribe were enabled to remove. 

In 1828, he was sent from Green Bay, to unite the Indians 
still in New York, in a petition to Congress for a recognition 
of their right to the Winnebago and Menomonie purchase, 
some of the land having been purchased of those Tribes by 
the U. S Commissioner at the Little Butte des Morts Treaty 
in 1827,* notwithstanding that the professed object of the 
Treaty was to fix boundaries between the different Tribes — 



*La Petit Butte des Morts, is a Mound of thirty feet in height, 
on Fox River. 



APPENDIX. 273 

Mr. Quinney was deputed to see the appeal printed, and for- 
warded by a special agent ; and the ratification of the Treaty 
was permitted to contain a proviso in their behalf. In the 
spring of 1829, Mr. Quinney collected the poor of the Tribe 
still in New York, to the number of thirty, and removed them 
to Green Bay. The Treaty of 1827 still producing evils, he 
was sent by the Stock bridges and Munseys to Washington, 
together with delegates from the other Tribes, in 1831 ; but 
the Menomonies prevented any settlement, as they had pre- 
viously done in their own country in 1830, at the Treaty men- 
tioned in Section 25th. A new tract was indeed offered the 
Stockbridges j but, upon examination, it was found to be unfit 
for settlement. In this state of things, the Stockbridge and 
Munsey Tribes united, and sent Mr. Quinney and John Me- 
toxin to Washington, to procure some terms upon which they 
could live in peace. Other Tribes sent delegates, and a hear- 
ing was obtained. But they were positively forbidden to re- 
main where they were, and only permitted to plunge into the 
woods on the shore of Winnebago. This was in 1831 and 2. 

In 1839 the Stockbridges followed the example of the 
Oneidas, and asked compensation for their losses ; Austin E. 
Quinney and John W. Quinney being deputed for the pur- 
pose. This was not granted them, however, until 1848, when 
they were allowed $25 000. Mr. Quinney and John Chicks 
were the delegates in 1841-2 to present this appeal. 

In 1844 Mr. Quinney accompanied the Sachem of the 
Tribe to Washington, to present the above mentioned petition, 
and also to obtain a repeal, or a modification of the law of 
March 3, 1843, making the Stockbridges citizens of the Unit- 
ed States, contrary to the wishes of a majority of the Tribe. 

In 1846 he was again sent, alone, and procured the repeal 
of the act, and an allowance of $5,000 on the claim before 
referred to. This being withheld, however, together with 
other moneys belonging to the Tribe, he was sent again in 
1848, but obtained nothing at all. 

In 1S50 he was returned to Washington with Austin E. 
Quinney, then Sachem, for the same purpose; and also to 
obtain permission for the Tribe to make their own selection 
of seventy-two sections of land granted them by the amend- 
ment of the Treaty of 1848, on the Mississippi river. This 
mission was successful. 

(H.) 

The particulars of this affair are these : Daniel Phelps, 
being an officer, was asked one day by a company of his 
associates assembled in his room, to give them the manual 
exercise. Accordingly he took his seat, and, being first 



274 APPENDIX. 

armed with guns which were standing by, they arranged 
themselves before him When the order was given to " take 
aim,'"' one man pointed his piece directly towards Captain 
Phelps. He was requested to turn it to one side, which he 
did, though probably no one supposed it to be loaded. Yet, 
when Captain Phelps pronounced the word '' fire," Mr. Y. 
again pointed the gun directly towards him ; and its contents, 
entering the right breast of the officer, took an oblique direc- 
tion, boring the lungs, and lodging in the back bone. This 
was inferred, at least, from his appearance, a numbness in all 
parts below the ball taking place immediately. As soon as 
the surgeons had searched the wound, he asked if it was mor- 
tal, and was answered " Yes." From that moinent to his 
death, two days afterward, though his sufferings were often 
great, Mr. Avery, the Chaplain, speaks of him as a "mirror 
of patience and resignation," such as 'is scarcely to be 
found." In a letter to Dr. West, dated " Camp at Cambridge, 
May 12, 1775,'' he says : '' Mr. Phelps was wounded on Mon- 
day, at 3 P. M. He very quietly fell on sleep at about 6 P. 
M, Wednesday. Thus expired the flower of our army. 
Yesterday he was interred in the Cambridge burying-yard in 
a very decent and respectable manner. I had the greatest 
satisfaction and comfort in his death, for he appeared to die 
in the triumphs of faith," &c. He speaks of his brothers, 
Jacob and Hezekiah, being present ; but they are supposed 
to have gone from Barrington. Deacon Brown and Captain 
Goodrich were also with him. 

Mr. Y. became almost distracted, and, it is believed, con- 
tinued in a gloomy state of mind until his own death many 
years afterward. He was not suspected of design, but was 
probably less cautious than he should have been. 

(I) 

The Fair was held in the dining-room of the '' Stockbridge 
House," which was tastefully decorated. Besides ornaments 
appropriate to the holidays, particular reference was had to 
the occasion. " There," says one, '' was the wreathed portrait 
of Kossuth at the upper end, surrounded by Hungarian and 
Turkish Flags, and above it "Eljen Kossuth" in laurel 
leaves, tit writing for that name which is imperishable. Op- 
posite was the American Flag, draped to conceal the walls, 
and hung with evergreens. Around the side and across the 
cealing, were festoons of evergreen and the Hungarian colors. 
And there, hung around with wreaths of laurel, were the 
names of Batthiany, and the thirteen martyrs of xVrad, of 
whom Kossuth so often speaks. Then there were mottoes — 
"The shadows of our martyrs pass before me." '' Forward 



APPENDIX. 275 

is the word." " Still they say it was I who inspired them. 
No ! it was they who inspired me.'' '' The heart strings of 
the women are tlie purse-strings of the men." 

On receiving the money, Kossuth returned the following 
reply :— 

Washington, January 9th, 1852. 
Dear Miss F. : 

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
your much esteemed letter of 3d January, with the inclosed 
check of $200, of which $150 are the proceeds of a Fair 
held in your village, as an offering from the women of Stock- 
bridge, and the remaining fifty, from a separate contribution 
from your citizens, as a gift from willing hearts to the cause 
of freedom in Hungary. 

Allow me to express my warmest thanks for this kind gift 
which the noble and generous ladies and citizens of Stock- 
bridge so generously granted in behalf of my poor down- 
trodden country, and the common cause of humanity. 

The female heart is always susceptible of sympathy, and 
the remembrance of your kind offering shall be cherished by 
me, and shall aid me in the effort to accomplish the freedom 
of Hungary. 

I thank you — from my heart I thank you — for your generous 
sentiments, and I have the honor to remain, 

Your obedient servant, 

L. Kossuth. 

The good which will be accomplished by this donation is 
still a matter of uncertainty. But whatever the event may be, 
the aim was commendable • and who will ever regret that we 
did x\o\. prudently stand aloof until it should be decided that 
we might have aided a worthier cause ? " If thou forbear to 
deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are 
ready to be slain : if thou sayest, ' Behold, we knew it not ; ' 
doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it ? and he that 
keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it T' — Prov. 24: 11, 12. 

On the 4th of July, 1852, an entertainment was also given 
lor the beneiit of Hungarian exiles. 



& 



JH^ 



